Individual and family factors and adolescent well-being: A multi-level analysis

What are the effects of positive and negative experiences in both the vocat ional and relationship careers of youngsters and their parents on adolescen t well-being. Data from the Dutch national panel study USAD (Utrecht Study of Adolescent Development) were used; this is a study of developmental proc esses as they occur in the life course of young people during the 1990s. A quarter of the total variance of the variable adolescent well-being is foun d at family level. Individual vocational and relationship factors appear to have significant long-term effects on adolescent well-being. The same hold s true for relationship problems in the family, especially for girls. Vocat ional family factors and parents' personal characteristics are not importan t as predictors of adolescent well-being.