Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Health-Promoting Influences of the Family on Late Adolescent Functioning

  • Published:
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined whether potentially modifiable health-promoting family factors during mid-adolescence (age 15) predicted adaptive functioning in late adolescence (age 18) among members of a working-class community cohort. Family factors included feeling valued in the family, cohesion, and social support. Late adolescent outcomes covered developmentally salient areas: academic functioning; mental health; suicidal behavior; and social, psychological, and behavioral functioning. Our findings demonstrate that a positive adolescent family milieu is related to both adaptive outcomes and a reduced likelihood of serious difficulties, including mental and behavior problems. Although each hypothesized health-promoting factor was significantly associated with multiple areas of age 18 functioning, the patterns of association differed by type of family factor. Taken together, results suggest that the family remains an important social context during mid-adolescence and that to be most effective programs designed by practitioners aimed at strengthening families should target multiple features of the family environment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the youth self report and 1991 profile. Burlington: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Akse, J., Hale, W. W., III, Engels, R. C. M. E., Raaijmakers, Q. A. W., & Meeus, W. H. J. (2004). Personality, perceived parental rejection and problem behavior in adolescence. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 39, 980–988.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1987). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed., rev.). Washington, DC: Author.

  • Arnett, J. J. (1992). Reckless behavior in adolescence: A developmental perspective. Developmental Review, 12, 339–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnett, J. J. (1999). Adolescent storm and stress, reconsidered. American Psychologist, 54, 317–326.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bal, S., Crombez, G., Van Oost, P., & Debourdeaudhuij, I. (2003). The role of social support in well-being and coping with self-reported stressful events in adolescents. Child Abuse and Neglect, 27, 1377–1395.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barrera, M. (1980). A method for the assessment of social support networks in community survey research. Connections, 3, 8–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carbonell, D. M., Reinherz, H. Z., & Giaconia, R. M. (1998). Risk and resilience in late adolescence. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 15, 251–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carbonell, D. M., Reinherz, H. Z., Giaconia, R. M., Stashwick, C. K., Paradis, A. D., & Beardslee, W. R. (2002). Adolescent protective factors promoting resilience in young adults at risk for depression. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 19, 393–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caspe, M., & Lopez, M. E. (2006). Lessons from family-strengthening interventions: Learning from evidence-based practice. http://www.gse.harvard.edu/hfrp/content/projects/fine/resources/research/lessons.pdf.

  • Cederblad, M., Dahlin, L., Hagnell, O., & Hansson, K. (1994). Salutogenic childhood factors reported by middle-aged individuals: Follow-up of the children from the Lundby study grown up in families experiencing three or more childhood psychiatric risk factors. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 244, 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cuffe, S. P., McKeown, R. E., Addy, C. L., & Garrison, C. Z. (2005). Family and psychosocial risk factors in a longitudinal epidemiological study of adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 44, 121–129.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • D’Amico, E. J., Ellickson, P. L., Collins, R. L., Martino, S., & Klien, D. J. (2005). Processes linking adolescent problems to substance-use problems in late young adulthood. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 66, 766–775.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durlak, J. A., Taylor, R. D., Kawashima, K., Pachan, M. K., DuPre, E. P., Celio, C. I., et al. (2007). Effects of positive youth development programs on school, family, and community systems. American Journal of Community Psychology, 39, 269–286.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, D. K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J., Harris, W. A., et al. (2006). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 55, 1–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flay, B. R., & Allred, C. G. (2003). Long-term effects of the Positive Action Program. American Journal of Health and Behavior, 27(supplement), S6–S21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ford-Gilboe, M. (1997). Family strengths, motivation, and resources as predictors of health promotion behavior in single-parent and two-parent families. Research in Nursing and Health, 20, 205–217.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frost, A. K., Reinherz, H. Z., Pakiz-Camras, B., Giaconia, R. M., & Lefkowitz, E. S. (1999). Risk factors for depressive symptoms in late adolescence: A longitudinal community study. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 69, 370–381.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ge, X., Best, K. M., Conger, R. D., & Simons, R. L. (1996). Parenting behaviors and the occurrence and co-occurrence of adolescent depressive symptoms and conduct problems. Developmental Psychology, 32, 717–731.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giaconia, R. M., Reinherz, H. Z., Paradis, A. D., Carmola Hauf, A. M., & Stashwick, C. K. (2001). Major depression and drug disorders in adolescence: General and specific impairments in early adulthood. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40, 1426–1433.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giaconia, R. M., Reinherz, H. Z., Silverman, A. B., Pakiz, B., Frost, A. K., & Cohen, E. (1994). Ages of onset of psychiatric disorders in a community population of older adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33, 706–717.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hale, W. W., III, Van Der Valk, I., Engels, R., & Meeus, W. (2005). Does perceived parental rejection make adolescents sad and mad? The association of perceived parental rejection with adolescent depression and aggression. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36, 466–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hall-Lande, J. A., Eisenberg, M. E., Christenson, S. L., & Neumark-Sztainer, D. (2007). Social isolation, psychological health, and protective factors in adolescence. Adolescence, 42, 265–286.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, J. D., Kosterman, R., Catalano, R. F., Hill, K. G., & Abbott, R. D. (2005). Promoting positive adult functioning through social development intervention in childhood. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 159, 25–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., & Bachman, J. G. (2006). Monitoring the future national survey results on drug use, 1975–2005. Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Drug Abuse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joronen, K., & Astedt-Kurki, P. (2005). Familial contribution to adolescent subjective well-being. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 11, 125–133.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kovacs, M. (1992). Children’s depression inventory. North Tonawanda, NY: Multi-Health Systems.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K. L., & Alvarado, R. (2003). Family-strengthening approaches for the prevention of youth problem behaviors. American Psychologist, 58, 457–465.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lucia, V., & Breslau, N. (2006). Family cohesion and children’s behavior problems: A longitudinal investigation. Psychiatry Research, 141, 141–149.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, S. K. (2001). Do I matter? Construct validation of adolescents’ perceived mattering to parents and friends. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 473–490.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H., Portner, J., & Lavee, Y. (1986). Family adaptability and cohesion evaluation scales (FACES III). St. Paul: Department of Family Science, University of Minnesota.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paradis, A. D., Reinherz, H. Z., Giaconia, R. M., & Fitzmaurice, G. (2006). Major depression in the transition to adulthood: The impact of active and past depression on young adult functioning. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 194, 318–323.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Piers, E. V. (1984). The Piers-Harris children’s self-concept scale: Revised manual. Los Angeles: Western Psychiatric Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redmond, C., Spoth, R., Shin, C., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). Modeling long-term parent outcomes to two universal family-focused preventative interventions: One-year follow-up results. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 975–984.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reinherz, H. Z., Giaconia, R. M., Lefkowitz, E. S., Pakiz, B., & Frost, A. K. (1993a). Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a community population of older adolescents. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32, 369–377.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reinherz, H. Z., Giaconia, R. M., Pakiz, B., Silverman, A. B., Frost, A. K., & Lefkowitz, E. S. (1993b). Psychosocial risks for major depression in late adolescence: A longitudinal community study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32, 1155–1163.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reinherz, H. Z., Giaconia, R. M., Silverman, A. B., Friedman, A., Pakiz, B., Frost, A. K., et al. (1995). Early psychosocial risks for adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 34, 599–611.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Resnick, M. D., Bearman, P. S., Blum, R. W., Bauman, K. E., Harris, K. M., Jones, J., et al. (1997). Protecting adolescents from harm: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health. Journal of the American Medical Association, 278, 823–832.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robins, L. N., Helzer, J. E., Cottler, L., & Goldring, E. (1989). National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule, version III, revised. St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rohde, P., Lewinsohn, P. M., Kahler, C. W., Seeley, J. R., & Brown, R. A. (2001). Natural course of alcohol use disorders from adolescence to young adulthood. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40, 83–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1986). Conceiving the self. Malabar, FL: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M., & McCullough, B. C. (1981). Mattering: Inferred significance and mental health among adolescents. Research in Community and Mental Health, 2, 163–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schor, E. L., & American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on the Family. (2003). Family pediatrics: Report of the task force on the family. Pediatrics, 111, 1541–1571.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schulenberg, J. E., Bryant, A. L., & O’Malley, P. M. (2004). Taking hold of some kind of life: How developmental tasks relate to trajectories of well-being during the transition to adulthood. Development and Psychopathology, 16, 1119–1140.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steinberg, L. (1998). Adolescence (5th ed.). McGraw Hill.

  • Taylor, J., & Turner, R. J. (2001). A longitudinal study of the role and significance of mattering to others for depressive symptoms. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 42, 310–325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay, C., Hebert, M., & Piche, C. (1999). Coping strategies and social support as mediators and consequences of child sexual abuse victims. Child Abuse & Neglect, 23, 929–945.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weissberg, R. P., Kumpfer, K. L., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2003). Prevention that works for children and youth. American Psychologist, 58, 425–432.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Youngblade, L. M., Theokas, C., Schulenberg, J., Curry, L., Huang, I.-C., & Novak, M. (2007). Risk and promotive factors in families, schools, and communities: A contextual model of positive youth development in adolescence. Pediatrics, 119, S47–S53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zdanowicz, N., Janne, P., & Reynaert, C. (2004). Family, health, and adolescence. Psychosomatics, 45, 500–507.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

The data used in this article were collected through support from NIMH (R01-MH41569) and the analyses were made possible by a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helen Z. Reinherz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Reinherz, H.Z., Giaconia, R.M., Paradis, A.D. et al. Health-Promoting Influences of the Family on Late Adolescent Functioning. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 25, 517–530 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-008-0153-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-008-0153-x

Keywords

Navigation