RELATIONSHIPS AMONG MINUCHINS STRUCTURAL FAMILY MODEL, IDENTITY ACHIEVEMENT, AND COPING STYLE

The purpose of this study was to examine S. Minuchin's (1974) contenti on that a balance between enmeshment and disengagement in the family i s associated with healthy adolescent development. One hundred eighty-t wo college students completed the Structural Family Interaction Scale- Revised, the Adolescent-Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences Sca le, and the Ego Identity Scale. The results of canonical analyses sugg ested that clear boundaries and the expression and resolution of confl ict, in conjunction with the absence of cross-generational alliances, are associated with identity achievement and positive coping strategie s (e.g., confronting problems and seeking help from family members). G ender differences emerged in the analyses. The results of hierarchical regression suggested that coping style is a mediator between family s tructure and identity achievement.