The Parental Bonding Instrument and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale were used to assess family functioning in terms of adolescent perceptions of their family's cohesiveness and flexibility and the degree to which their parents provided care and protection. The relationship between family functioning and physical abuse, severity of abuse, and date of abuse onset was investigated. Results showed abused adolescents perceived their families as significantly less adaptable, less cohesive, and less balanced than comparison adolescents. Fathers and mothers of abused adolescents were viewed as less caring, and abuse group fathers were also viewed as more overly protective. Family functioning was not different when childhood-onset abuse was compared to adolescent-onset abuse. In addition, the severity of abuse did not differ in childhood and adolescent onset groups. The authors conclude physically abused adolescents see their families as rigid and their parents as emotionally unavailable. Treatment needs and intervention strategies for these families are outlined. 36 references and 3 tables