Family Context

Abstract

The influence of the family during the adolescent period has been clearly demonstrated across a range of adolescent developmental domains. This entry focuses on adolescent psychological outcomes and reviews models of family functioning, with a focus on the adolescent period; family context research that has taken a reciprocal and holistic view of adolescent development; and family interventions to alleviate psychological distress during the adolescent period. The role that family factors, such as family cohesion, play in the development of adolescent emotional and behavioral outcomes is not fully understood. The family context may be a primary risk factor for negative outcomes, or, if it is functioning well, the family may act as a protective buffer against other cumulative risk factors. Further research is required that considers the family context in a fully reciprocal manner and tries to elucidate explanatory mechanisms for the influence of family functioning upon adolescent development.