This study explored the possibility that family organization may moderate the impact of stressful events experienced in the home on adolescents' functioning. Participants were 80 African-American adolescents and their mothers in a large northeastern city. (47 one-parent and 33 two-parent families). A factor analysis was used to measure "stressful life events," forming scales in four areas: family disruption; work-related stress; health problems; and relationship problems. Findings reveal that the more that families experienced disruption and the more that mothers reported health problems, the lower the self-reliance and self-esteem of the adolescents. Mothers' health problems were also linked to an increase in adolescents' problem behavior and psychological distress. Findings also revealed some of the moderating effects of family organization on the association of stressful events with adolescent adjustment. In homes high in organization, an increase in disruption was associated with lower psychological distress, while in homes low in organization increases in disruption were associated with an increase in psychological distress. In highly organized homes, the stability and structure of the family environment may offset the impact of disruptive experiences. Some limitations of this research are discussed. (Contains 2 tables and 28 references.) (SLD)