This study examined the relationship between six dimensions of parental marital conflict and adolescent health risk behaviors, including substance abuse and sexual activity. Subjects were 151 European American adolescents and 110 Mexican American adolescents, ages 12-15, and their parents. Parents reported on their inter-parental conflict at initial interviews. Adolescents reported on parental conflict, their own primary appraisal of threat and self-blame regarding parental conflict, and their emotional distress. At a 6-month follow-up, adolescents reported on their risk behaviors. Results indicated that for Mexican Americans, three parental conflict dimensions--conflict about the adolescent, conflictual process, and conflict intensity--were related to one or more risk behaviors. For European Americans, four parental conflict dimensions--conflict about the adolescent, conflictual process, conflict resolution, and adolescent involvement in the conflict--were related to one or more risk behaviors. The effects of two parental conflict dimensions, conflict resolution and adolescent involvement, were mediated by primary appraisal and emotional distress. (Author/JPB)