Adolescent physical abuse: Age at time of abuse and adolescent perception of family functioning

The relationship between physical abuse and family functioning was investig ated in a comparative study of victims of adolescent physical abuse. The sa mple consisted of 99 physically abused adolescents and 99 nonabused adolesc ents who were administered the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FA CES III). These measures as sess family functioning in terms of adolescents' perception of their family 's cohesiveness, flexibility, and the degree to which their parents provide care and protection. The relationship between family functioning and physi cal abuse, severity of abuse, and date of abuse onset was investigated. Abu sed adolescents perceived their families as significantly less adaptable, l ess cohesive, and less balanced than the comparison adolescents. Fathers an d mothers of abused adolescents were viewed as less caring; abuse group fat hers were also viewed as more overprotective. Family functioning was not di fferent when childhood-onset abuse was compared to adolescent-onset abuse. Severity of abuse also did not differ in the childhood and adolescent onset groups. It was concluded that physically abused adolescents view their fam ilies as rigid, and their parents as emotionally unavailable. Treatment nee ds and intervention strategies for these families are outlined.