THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED FAMILY HEALTH AND PERSONALITY FUNCTIONING AMONG AUSTRALIAN ADOLESCENTS

The interrelationships between perceived family functioning, personali ty dimensions, life satisfaction, and self-concept were examined in 18 3 Australian adolescents. Moderate in relationships were obtained betw een Eysenck's Psychoticism dimension and perceived family health. Soci ability was positively and moderately related to healthy family functi oning. Eysenck's Neuroticism dimension demonstrated a significant, yet modest, relationship to a healthy balance of autonomy and intimacy in the family of origin. In comparison to Eysenck's personality dimensio ns, life satisfaction and self-esteem were much more strongly associat ed with perceived family functioning. These findings are discussed in the light of previous research, and some suggestions for future resear ch are made.