Strategic Studies of public policy

Strategic Studies of public policy

A Scientometric Analysis of Conceptual Evolution in Family Policymaking From Traditional Frameworks to Complex and Transdisciplinary Governance

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Ali Moeenian 1
Mostafa Zamaniyan 2
Zohre Karimmiyan 3
1 Department of Population and Family/School of Governance/Tehran University/Tehran/Iran
2 Educational Department of Population and Family/School of Governance/Tehran University/Tehran/Iran
3 Department of Technology Management/Faculty of Management and Accounting/Islamic Azad University/Tehran, Iran
10.22034/sspp.2026.2063379.3813
Abstract
Over the past century, family policymaking in the international literature has shifted from a narrow agenda to a complex, multi level and networked field. This change suggests that the family has gradually moved beyond being merely an object of intervention and has been reframed as an effective actor in social governance. Yet, in many policy settings, linear and sectoral perspectives still persist and remain weakly aligned with the real complexity of family life. This highlights the value of data based evidence for tracing dominant conceptual trajectories and policy framings. This study maps the conceptual evolution of family policymaking from 1926 to 2025 using a scientometric approach. Data were retrieved from the Web of Science database and analyzed in R using the Bibliometrix package. Based on keyword co occurrence analysis, concept clustering, and two core outputs (Thematic Evolution and Thematic Map), the study identifies major transition paths, key conceptual nodes, and prevailing orientations in the literature. Findings indicate increasing thematic diversity and stronger conceptual connectedness over time, enabling clearer articulation of family agency and supporting more integrated approaches to family governance. Overall, the study offers a holistic, data driven basis for policy rethinking beyond one dimensional approaches.
Keywords
family policymaking
Governance
Scientometrics
Family؛ Family governance

Subjects