The Families of Adolescents and Young Adults: Their Perceived Characteristics and Functioning

Dear Colleagues,

Over the last few decades, family structures and functions have undergone deep transformations in many parts of the world. These changes are driven by complex socio-cultural, economic, and demographic factors, such as declining birth rates, increasing rates of divorce and separation, the rise of reconstituted and single-parent families, and shifting roles. As a result, the boundaries of what constitutes a "family" have become more diversified and dynamic.

Adolescents and young adults today grow up in family contexts that differ substantially from those of previous generations, not only in their structure but also in their relational climate, values, and modes of communication. At the same time, this life stage is marked by significant developmental tasks, including identity formation, emotional autonomy, and the construction of future life plans. The way families function, and how this functioning is perceived by their members, can have a profound impact on the well-being, social adjustment, and psychological development of youth.

Understanding the characteristics and functioning of contemporary families thus becomes a key challenge for scholars in psychology, sociology, education, and other related disciplines. Moreover, focusing on the perceptions of family functioning—both from the perspective of youth and of parents—can offer rich insights into relational quality, conflict resolution, emotional support, and the intergenerational transmission of values and expectations.

In this Special Issue, we seek to explore the multiple dimensions and meanings of family functioning as perceived and experienced by adolescents and young adults in various cultural and socio-economic contexts. We welcome original research articles (qualitative, quantitative, cross-sectional, and longitudinal studies), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

Dr. Luca Cerniglia
Dr. María del Mar Simón Márquez
Guest Editors

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