A hierarchical model of adolescent personal adjustment is presented, which suggests that family system-level relationships affect individuation levels of off-spring, which in turn affect personal adjustment. This model was tested using perceived parenting style as the first tier variable, ani inidicator of individluation as the second tier variable, and self-esteem as an indicator of personal adjustment. Results gave limited support to the model using this sample of adolescent males and females. Interesting differences were noted itn tile intdividuation process for males and females and the differential effects of mothers' and fathers'parenting style. It was emphasized that future research in t/zis area should more carefully examine the inter-dependence between sex of the child, the parenting style of each parent, and adolescenit inidividuation when examininig the mediators of adolescent development and adaptation.
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