Conflict in families of adolescents: The impact on cohesion and power structures.

Investigated 3 characteristics (locus, content, and frequency) of conflict (CF) in families of adolescents. Ss were 134 parents and 170 early (mean age 11.5 yrs), 109 middle (mean age 16.3 yrs), and 47 late (mean age 18.7 yrs) adolescents. Ss reported family CF on T. M. Gehring and S. S. Feldman's (see record 1989-14119-001) Family System Test and in an interview. CF in marital (MADs) and parent–adolescent dyads (PADs) was frequently reported. Across adolescence, reports of PAD CF increased, especially those related to autonomy. CF decreased cohesion and changed power relations in the representations of family structure. CF in the MAD was related to decreased cohesion and increased cross-generational coalitions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)