PERCEPTION OF PARENTAL MARITAL CONFLICTS, FAMILIAR ADJUSTMENT AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY AMONG PUERTO-RICAN ADOLESCENTS

The literature suggests that children of parents who have marital conf licts are in higher risk to develop some psychological disturbances (E mery & O'Leary, 1982; Kaslow, Rehm, Pollack & Siegel, 1990), including depression (Kaslow, et al., 1990; Downey & Coyne, 1990, cited in Pete rsen, et al. 1993). The present study evaluated the relationship betwe en depressive symptomathology in adolescence, the family adjustment an d the adolescents perception of marital conflicts of their parents. Th e sample consisted of 46 adolescents high school students, between the ages of 15 and 18. Self-report instruments were used to evaluate the depressive symptomathology, family adjustment and perception of marita l conflicts. The results showed a positive correlation between family disadjustment and depressive symptomathology. Although the correlation between marital conflict and depressive symptomathology was postive, this correlation was low. Family functioning and percibed criticism we re the variables with more predictive value for the depressive symptom athology in Puerto Rican adolescents.