Adolescent interpersonal and familial precursors of positive mental health at midlife.

Associations between adolescent relationships with peers, adults in the larger community, and parents and successful adult mental health were explored as part of a longitudinal study. Measures included two Q-sort ratings: the adolescent interpersonal Q-sort at age 13 and the Psychological Health Index (PH) at age 50. Nine content clusters were formed from adolescent Q-sort items, and correlations computed between scores on these clusters and PH. In addition, one of the clusters was examined for possible curvilinear relationships. Three clusters related significantly to later mental health: "harmonious peer relations," "positive relationships with adults outside of the family," and "reasonable parental control." Significant curvilinear relation-ships were obtained for a fourth cluster describing adolescents who valued intimate friendship.