Family Conflict and Family Cohesion: Their Relationship to Youths’ Behavior Problems

This study tested the hypotheses that family conflict and family cohesion would be significant predictors of youths’ problem behaviors after controlling for demographic variables and other family process variables. The sample included 156 adolescents, teachers, and parents. Adolescents and parents completed three self-report family functioning instruments (FACES II, SFI, FES); all sources completed the CBCL. Adolescents’ reports supported both hypotheses. Results varied when mothers’ and fathers’ reports were used. Fathers’ reports showed only family conflict to be significant, and mothers’ reports showed only family cohesion to be significant. Teachers’ reports showed no significant results. Implications of these results are discussed.