[[alternative]]A Study on the Relationships Among Family Function, Parent-Adolescent Conflict, Coping Strategies, and Life Adjustment

[[abstract]]The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among family function, parent-adolescent conflict, coping strategies, and life adjustment. In addition, this study explored the gender differences on parent-adolescent conflict and coping strategies. The subjects were 638 students drawn from 8 junior high schools in Taipei. The instruments used in the study included revised Family Assessment Device, Father-Adolescent Conflict Scale, Father-Adolescent Conflict Coping Strategies Scale, Mother-Adolescent Conflict Scale, Mother-Adolescent Conflict Coping Strategies Scale, revised Behaviors-In-School Inventory. The data were statistically analyzed by One-way MANOVA and multiple-stepwise regression. The Major findings were as follows: Ⅰ.There were significant gender differences on father-adolescent conflict and mother-adolescent conflict. Ⅱ. There were no significant gender differences on father-adolescent conflict coping strategies and mother-adolescent conflict coping strategies. Ⅲ. Parent-adolescent conflict could be significantly predicted by family function. Specifically, adolescents who perceived higher family function would perceive lower father-adolescent conflict and mother-adolescent conflict. Ⅳ.Coping strategies could be significantly predicted by both father-adolescent conflict and mother-adolescent conflict . Ⅴ.Life adjustment could be predicted significantly by family function. Specifically, adolescents who perceived higher family function would perceive better life adjustment. Ⅵ.Life adjustment could be predicted significantly by parent-adolescent conflict. Specifically, adolescents who perceived lower parent-adolescent conflict would perceive better life adjustment. Ⅶ.Life adjustment could be predicted significantly by parent-adolescent conflict coping strategies. Ⅷ. There was an indirect effect of family function on life adjustment mediated by parent-adolescent conflict. In addition, there was an indirect effect of family function on life adjustment mediated by parent-adolescent conflict and parent-adolescent conflict coping strategies. Based on above findings, this study provided some suggestions for adolescents, parents of adolescence, school administration, and future research.