ADOLESCENT MALADJUSTMENT AND FAMILY DYNAMICS
ALBERTO C. SERRANO M.D.,
EUGENE C. MCDANALD M.D.,
HAROLD A. GOOLISHIAN PH.D.,
ROBERT MACGREGOR PH.D., , and
AGNES M. RITCHIE MSW1
1 University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Tex.
The various types of adolescent disorder may be related to 4 types of unhealthy family interaction. The adolescent's primary role in intrafamilial imbalance is to function as a stabilizing factor, that is, he internalizes or externalizes the unresolved, unspoken parental conflicts. The realization of his individual potentials and emotional growth are impaired, inasmuch as they are made secondary to the primary role. The neurotic equilibrium of the family broken when the adolescent's behavior becomes unendurable to himself, the family and/or society. This precipitates a crisis that tends to mobilize the family to seek some type of help. It is at this time that a clear understanding of adolescent maladjustment and family dynamics becomes most important for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes(11).
