Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 1Iol. 18, No. 5, 1989 Adolescent Perception of Family Climate and Adaptation to Residential Schooling Shmuel Shuiman ~ and Eti Prechter 2 Received August 4, 1988; accepted September 11, 1989 The article investigates the role that adolescents" perceptions of the family plays as he/she adapts to living away from home. Family atmosphere per- ceptions of adolescents who study at a residential school and adolescents who live at home were evaluated. The adaption of these two groups of ado- lescents, as perceived by their teachers, was also evaluated. Results have shown differential contributions o f family dimensions to adolescent adapta- tion in residential and nonresidential schooling. Results are discussed in connection with the process of adolescent separation from the family and the increased impact of the peer group. INTRODUCTION Adolescent individuation is a continuous process between parents and children during which new forms of affective, behavioral, and cognitive states in their relationships have to be negotiated (Steinberg, 1981). Conceptually this process consists of two constructs: (1) relationships within the family and (2) relationships between the adolescent and the fami- ly. Through the continuous presentation of distinct thoughts and wishes, the adolescent signals parents that prior childish relationships are being ~Senior Lecturer, School of Education, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Ramat Aviv, Israel. In 1987-1988, Visiting Faculty, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota. Re- ceived his Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University, Israel. Research interests include developmental and family processes in normal and handicapped children and adolescents. To whom corres- pondence should be addressed. ~Eti Prechter received her M.S.W. from Tel Aviv University. 439 (j047-2891/89/1000-0439506.00/0 9 1989 Plenum Publishing Corporation