What characteristic of families is defined as being overly involved in the lives of others?

The characteristic defined as being overly involved in the lives of others is "enmeshed." This term describes a family dynamic where there are blurred boundaries between family members, leading to excessive emotional interdependence. In enmeshed families, individuals may struggle to establish personal autonomy and separate identities because their lives are intertwined. This level of involvement can prevent family members from developing independent coping mechanisms and may lead to difficulties in personal relationships outside the family unit.

In contrast, disengaged families have distant relationships with limited emotional connection, while pathological triangular relationships refer to a dysfunctional communication pattern involving three people, often leading to conflict or manipulation. The term independent implies a healthy level of autonomy, which is the opposite of excessive involvement. Therefore, enmeshment stands out as the correct characterization of familial over-involvement.