Familial Conflict, Adolescent Rebellion, and Political Expression.

Studies of the relationship between family conflict and adolescent divergence from parental political views have produced inconclusive findings. A notable weakness of pass research has been its reliance on recall data from respondents concerning the level of conflict experienced during adolescent years. By analyzing data directly from a sample of junior-high adolescents, the relationship of family conflict to political orientation has been reexamined. Findings indicate a positive and moderately strong relationship between family conflict and male adolescent divergence from father's political position and a weaker relationship for divergence from mother under a condition of high parental interest in politics. No significant relationships were established for females and their departure from parental political views under a condition of either varying conflict or parental political interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]