TALKING TO TEENS ABOUT FAMILY PROBLEMS - AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PREVENTION

Most pediatricians do not screen for family problems as part of routin e adolescent health care.(1) This study documents fears, worries, and concerns about family issues expressed by 147: teenagers on a confiden tial questionnaire during consecutive initial visits to an adolescent medicine clinic in a university hospital setting. Among the salient fi ndings, 44% had thought about running away from home, 42% reported hav ing been subjected to some form of abuse, and 33% had felt like hurtin g themselves or someone else. Twenty-eight percent reported conflict i n their home, 27% were having problems with their family, and 20% were concerned about their parents' relationship. In addition, 27% worried about the physical or mental health of family members and 22% believe d that a family member had a problem with alcohol or other drugs. Twel ve percent did not have a confidant with whom to discuss their innermo st concerns. The data demonstrate a high frequency of stressful and an xiety-provoking family situations as reported by adolescents on a conf idential questionnaire, Pediatricians who wish to provide comprehensiv e services to their young adult patients must be prepared to discuss s uch issues on a routine basis.