The reason for studying the characteristics of a healthy family is to encourage and strengthen the family and to move toward an enriched family life by using the characteristics as bench marks. Six characteristics are discussed as the essence of a healthy family: (1) commitment; (2) togetherness; (3) appreciation; (4) good communication; (5) spiritual well-being; and (6) coping with crisis and stress. The commitment section focuses on the survival of the family through the different roles in the family coordinating, working together, and being supportive of each other. The togetherness section presents the importance of families arranging family time together. The appreciation section examines the need of individuals to be appreciated and admired by others. The next section describes how good communication creates a sense of belonging, reduces frustration, and enhances marital relations. The spiritual well-being section indicates that healthy families stress spirituality and work toward a common mission. The final section on coping with crisis and stress delineates 10 common coping strategies utilized by healthy families and suggests the importance of a family's willingness to change and make changes. Contains 18 references. (CK)