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The Family’s Impact on Adolescent Outcomes

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Families with Adolescents

Part of the book series: Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development ((ARAD))

Abstract

Research efforts focused on both the parent–adolescent dyad and polyadic relationships inside of families with adolescents invariably are linked to attempts to understand the impact of these family-oriented variables on adolescent outcomes. The present chapter reviews the empirical literature over the last 15 years that centers attention on the linkage between family factors and various aspects of adolescent outcomes, including adolescent delinquency, mental health issues, substance use and abuse, sexual activity, education, and socially competent behaviors. Many of these studies share some important similarities, including having generated substantial evidence concerning the critical role that parenting behaviors and family processes play in adolescent adjustment and well-being. Many of these studies also underscore the corresponding impact of peers and other social contexts beyond the family, as well as highlighting the importance of sibling relationships in families with adolescents. As well, the ways in which gender, race, ethnicity and culture influence the influence of parenting and family process variables also are discussed in many of the studies reviewed in this chapter.

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  1. Department of Human Development and Family Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Stephen M. Gavazzi

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Gavazzi, S.M. (2011). The Family’s Impact on Adolescent Outcomes. In: Families with Adolescents. Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8246-9_10

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