Background
: This study was intended to look into the characteristics and problems when FACES III are used as tools to evaluate family function of adolescents.

Methods : From May to June1996, self-reported questionnaires for FACES III were conducted on 2,430 middle school and high school students(males:1,190, female:1,240) in Seoul and Yangpyung, Kyunggi-Do. There were eight schools(four middle school, four high school) in Seoul and two schools(one middle school, one high school) in Yangpyung, Kyunggi-Do in this study. Also, education level of parents, occupational status of parents, family types(extended/nuclear), number of family member and numbers of siblings were assessed.

Results : The mean values of adaptability were significantly higher in Seoul students, in females, and in nuclear families. The mean values were higher in single sibling than two or more and in parents with higher education. The mean values of cohesion were significantly higher in Seoul students, in middle school students and in family members of 5 and under. The mean values were higher in those without a sibiling and in those with above college education. In stepwise regression analysis, educational level of parents, gender, area, occupational status of mother and grade were associated significantly with the mean values of adaptability and educational level of mother and grade were associated significantly with the mean values of adaptability and educational level of parents, grade and numbers of siblings were significantly associated with the mean values of cohesion.

Conclusion : We consider that there are problems in deciding the cut-off point and in the questionnaires of survey when the FACES III is used as a tool for evaluating family function of adolescents. Trials of combining other tools of family function or consideration of lower concepts are needed in other to be applicable to the individual conversation and clinical surroundings.