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Data from 77 adolescents in farm and ranch families were used to examine the relationship of demographic variables, family stressor events, and family coping strategies to adolescent adaptation. Results indicated that adolescent age and family transitions were positively related to individual stress. Males reported less family stress than did females. Seeking spiritual support was negatively related to family stress, while the perceived impact of the farm crisis was positively related to family stress. Family support was positively related, and family substance use issues were negatively related, to adolescent satisfaction with family life. The implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using self-report questionnaire data from high school students (N = 253), the relation between adolescents' perceptions of family characteristics and adolescent substance use patterns were examined. Results indicated that adolescents' perception of maternal substance use, family hardiness, and age of the adolescent were significant predictors of adolescent substance use. Implications are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine adolescent perceptions of family system characteristics and parental behaviors as predictors of adolescent substance use. Self-report questionnaire data were collected from a sample of 489 high school students. Bivariate correlations and multiple regression analysis were used to examine the research hypotheses. Results indicated that the frequency of parental substance use was positively related to adolescent substance use, while family bonding and parental support were negatively related. The results provide support for considering both family system characteristics and parenting behaviors in relation to adolescent substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide is an issue of increasing concern for professionals who work with adolescents and their families. Over the past three decades, the rate of suicide has increased dramatically among 15- to 24-year-olds and is the third leading cause of death in this age group. Previous theoretical approaches to understanding adolescent suicide (i.e., Durkheim's sociological theory of suicide, social learning theory, psychological theory, and family systems theory) are reviewed, and the utilization of human ecological theory is proposed. Factors associated with adolescent suicide at the organism (individual), microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem levels are examined. Finally, examples of prevention and intervention at each level are presented.