The Family Meets the Hospital

A whole series of studies on the relationship between family process and adolescent development is beginning to emerge. Several of these studies are described in this volume. Two distinct strategies for approaching the problem can now be defined, First, investigators who are interested primarily in adolescence examine the social milieu of youngsters for forces that promote or impede their development. This can be called the up-from-adolescence strategy. Second, investigators whose primary interest is in large social systems, including the family, regard adolescent development as a product or manifestation-one among many-of the operation of these larger systems. This can be called down-from-society strategy. In this chapter, we summarize some of our own work that adopts the second strategy. However, a comprehensive approach to the study of family process and adolescence will, we believe, have to encompass both approaches. To begin our own efforts in that direction, we will present some new data from a study on family process and empathy in early adolescence. First, however, we will expand on these two perspectives.As already noted, the up-from-adolescence approach begins with a primary concern for adolescents and their development. Investigators typically have a keen interest in and a sure grasp of the underlying personality structures and their evolution and transformation through adolescence. A particu- 77

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Paradigm and Pathogenesis

Reiss

Klein

1987

Family Interaction and Psychopathology

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The Family Meets the Hospital

Cited by 17 publications

References 19 publications