A rigid boundary is characterized by decreased communication and lack of support and responsiveness.A diffuse boundary is characterized by dependency and overinvolvement.Diffuse boundaries interfere with adaptive functioning because of the overinvestment, overinvolvement, and lack of differentiation between certain subsystems.Rigid boundaries prevent a subsystem (family member or subgroup) from achieving appropriate closeness or interaction with others in the system.Diffuse boundaries promote enmeshment,or exaggerated connectedness, among family members.