This study examined the relation between family variables and the mental health outcomes of adolescents. Family members' feelings about one another were assessed when the children were in grades 6 and 8. Family members' closeness to one another was assessed when children were in grades 8 and 12, and in a 4-year follow-up study. Adolescents' mental health outcomes were assessed by means of a questionnaire at grades 6, 8, and 12. Adolescents' depression was assessed at grades 8 and 12, and at the 4-year follow-up. Results indicated an increase in the number of reported adolescent depressive episodes through grade 12, with girls exhibiting a greater increase than boys. The reported closeness of girls to their parents declined through middle adolescence, but rose again by the 4-year follow-up. Boys reported more closeness with fathers than mothers. At grades 6 and 8, adolescents' mental health was related to closeness between children and parents. At grades 6, 8, and 12, negative family events, as reported by parents, were related to girls' depression. At grade 12, boys in the family type, hypothesized to be the least functional, reported surprisingly strong mental health. Twenty-seven figures comprising more than half the paper are included, and a list of 27 references is also provided. (BC)