This study assessed the association between parental style, family functioning and adolescent well being, contrasting intact families with those of changed configuration. Eight hundred and one grade 10 general level teenagers in 11 high schools of a single educational system were the subjects. Results indicated that the configuration of the family was not the key determinant of effectiveness of family functioning. Instead the style of parenting turned out to be the main determinant of both family functioning and well being of the adolescents. While both "parents" were judged to have contributed to these outcomes cross gender effects were found.

The roles of family, peers, and selected social factors in the origins of depression were assessed in a school-based study of adolescents. Social self-efficacy and social support from family and peers were found to be interrelated in their links with depression. Risk factors are delineated and suggestions for preventive intervention are offered.

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In recent years there has been considerable research and clinical interest in developing instruments to assess social supports available to individuals. There is, however, a notable deficiency of attempts to evaluate the psychometric properties of these questionnaires. The present article describes efforts made to evaluate the properties of a Social Relationship Scale (SRS) that was developed as part of a prospective study of the psychosocial influences on the health status of a population. Some descriptive scale statistics are also presented.