The Role of Family Difficulties in Adolescent Depression, Drug-Taking & Other Problem Behaviours

A self-report questionnaire was administered to 1270 Grade 7, 10 & 11 students in Sydney. Quality of family relationship was closely associated with depression & unhealthy acting-out behaviours. Parental help in the form of understanding, support, trust, time, interest & freedom were more desired than material help, e.g. money. Implications for the etiology of health-threatening behaviours & suicide among adolescents are discussed. (17 refs.) (RM)