Adolescent Maladjustment Research Articles

ФАКТОРЫ ВОЗНИКНОВЕНИЯ СОЦИАЛЬНО-ПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ДЕЗАДАПТАЦИИ КАК ПРИЧИНЫ ВНУТРЕННЕГО НЕБЛАГОПОЛУЧИЯ ОБУЧАЮЩИХСЯ СТАРШИХ КЛАССОВ

Socio-psychological maladaptation is the basis of the internal disadvantage of adolescents, as well as the cause of school failure of students, which determines the particular relevance of studying this phenomenon. The paper presents an analytical review of existing foreign and domestic research and the definition of the concept of “Socio-psychological maladaptation”. Based on theoretical analysis, the main factors in the emergence of socio-psychological maladjustment in adolescents are presented. Current issues and vectors for further research are identified.

On the issue of overcoming adolescent maladjustment in modern realities

On the issue of overcoming adolescent maladjustment in modern realities

Adverse childhood experiences and psychological maladjustment in adolescence: The protective role of epistemic trust, mentalized affectivity, and reflective functioning.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are psychosocial factors acknowledged as significant contributors to health consequences later in adolescence, including psychological maladjustment. The research suggests that, at a transdiagnostic and transtheoretical level, working on restoring epistemic trust (ET), mentalized affectivity (MA), and reflective functioning (RF) in adolescents with ACEs assumes a central role in the therapeutic process. However, there are still few studies that attempted to investigate the specific role of these sociocognitive factors in the detrimental positive association between levels of experienced ACEs during childhood and psychological maladjustment in nonclinical adolescents. A community sample of 306 Italian cisgender adolescents (61.4% assigned females at birth; age range 13-19 years old; Mage = 16.1, SD = 1.64) self-reported ACEs (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form), psychological maladjustment (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), ET (Epistemic Trust, Mistrust and Credulity Questionnaire), MA (Brief-Mentalized Affectivity Scale for Adolescence), and RF (Reflective Functioning Questionnaire). A multiple mediation regression analysis has been performed to explore the association between ACEs and psychological maladjustment through the interaction with socio-cognitive factors. ACEs are positive predictors of psychological maladjustment later in adolescence. Regardless of gender differences, epistemic mistrust and credulity, processing and expressing emotions, and uncertainty about mental states mediated this association, while epistemic trust, identifying emotions, and certainty about mental states did not configure as significant mediators. Findings suggest that ET disruptions and deficits in RF are risk factors, while MA is a protective factor within the link between ACEs and psychological maladjustment in adolescence. These links help to specify the role of sociocognitive factors in the development of mental problems in adolescents who have been exposed to adverse experiences in childhood.

Which need satisfaction better explains the relation between parental psychological control and adolescent behavior problems: A parallel multi-mediator model based on general strain theory

ObjectivePredicated on the general strain theory and self-determination theory, the present study seeks to comparatively evaluate how well the (dis)satisfaction of three psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) can individually serve as a mechanism by which parental psychological control influences adolescent behavior problems jointly represented by depression, aggression, social anxiety, and problematic internet use. Method974 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 14.4, SD = 1.49; 46.7 % girl) constituted the sample. At three time points, they completed scales measuring parental psychological control, basic psychological needs, depression, aggression, social anxiety, and problematic internet use. A parallel multi-mediator model was adopted to contrast the individual mediation effect of satisfaction of three psychological need in the path from parental psychological control to adolescent behavior problems. Results(1) Parental psychological control directly predicts adolescent behavior problems. (2) Autonomy and competence need satisfaction independently mediate the association between parental psychological control and behavior problems while relatedness need satisfaction does not. (3) there is no difference in the strength of mediation between autonomy and competence need satisfaction. Yet, both autonomy and competence need satisfaction have a stronger mediation effect than relatedness need satisfaction. ConclusionThe findings demonstrate that in accounting for the relation between parental psychological control and adolescent behavior problems, autonomy and competence need satisfaction may represent better mechanisms than relatedness need satisfaction. Interventions targeting maladaptive parenting practices and adolescent maladjustment in the post-pandemic era need to consider the potency of relevant psychological mechanisms in operation as well as the sociocultural characteristics.

Translation and Validation of Brief Adjustment Scale-6 (BASE-6) in Urdu

The current study aimed to translate and validate the Brief Adjustment Scale–6 (BASE-6) to measure the psychological maladjustment in adolescents. The present study further established the psychometric properties and the general utility of the BASE-6. The sample consisted of Adolescents of age (M= 14.61, SD= .968) of class 9th and 10th (N=150) who were recruited through purposive sampling. In this study the process of translation was done by following MAPI guidelines. Through confirmatory factor analysis, the study ascertained that all items in the translated questionnaire effectively aligned with the intended scales. Furthermore, an evaluation of convergent validity underscored the good quality of validity and reliability achieved by the Urdu-translated version of the Brief Adjustment Scale-6 (BASE-6). The results demonstrated a high level of discriminant and convergent validity in the sample. The one-dimensional structure of BASE-6 was confirmed and factorial invariance was established. Therefore, the study provides strong evidence for the utility of the BASE-6 as a valuable instrument for assessing psychological maladjustment in adolescents, with a high level of discriminant and convergent validity.

Peer Victimization Trajectory and Psychosocial Maladjustment in Early Taiwanese Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study.

This study examined the peer victimization trajectory and maladjustment outcomes among early Taiwanese adolescents. Data were extracted from a large-scale longitudinal study with a national representative sample. A total of 1691 school students in 4th, 6th, and 8th grade were analyzed. Using latent profile analysis, students were classified into four trajectories, chronic victims, late onset victims, desisters, and non-victims, based on their self-reported physical and verbal victimization at three time points. Maladjustment, including psychological distress, reduced school attachment, internet addiction, and suicidal ideation in 8th grade, were assessed. The results showed significant differences in adjustment among students in the four trajectories. Chronic victims had the poorest outcomes on most variables, followed by late onset victims and desisters, while non-victims had the least maladjustment. The findings highlight the need for future interventions that would consider students' victim status over time and pay particular attention to those who suffer constant bullying and abuse.

Adverse childhood experiences and residential care environment: The mediating role of trauma-related symptoms and psychological maladjustment in adolescents

BackgroundResearch has consistently found poorer outcomes in adolescents who have been exposed to early interpersonal adversities, especially those in out-of-home placements. The presence of mental health problems also contributes to the perception of a more negative group climate and peer interactions through cascading effects. ObjectiveTo analyze the sequential relationships between exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma-related symptoms, psychological maladjustment, and the perception of group climate and peer interactions. In addition, the study analyzes the mediating role of trauma-related symptoms and psychological maladjustment. Participants and settingThe sample comprised 161 adolescents in out-of-home care (46.6 % males, 49.7 % females, 3.7 % non-binary), aged 12–18 (M = 15.22, SD = 1.59) from 24 residential facilities in Spain. MethodsThis study is part of the VRINEP project. Group care workers reported about ACEs and trauma-related symptoms through online questionnaires, whereas adolescents self-reported about psychological maladjustment, group climate, and peer interactions. ResultsDifferential associations between ACEs with trauma-related symptoms and internalizing problems were found. The relationship between certain ACEs and externalizing problems was fully mediated by trauma-related symptoms. Likewise, psychological maladjustment was related to a more negative perception of the group climate and peer interactions. Although trauma-related symptoms were not directly associated with the perception of the residential environment, they were indirectly associated with peer relational aggression through externalizing problems. ConclusionsMental health has a significant impact on the perception of the group climate and peer interactions among adolescents in residential care who have been exposed to ACEs.

The transition of Chilean adolescents from the child welfare system to the adolescent justice system: a continuation or an accumulation of adverse factors?

Research on juvenile delinquency and adolescent maladjustment indicates that the beginning of these processes is found in the relationship between multiple risk factors at the individual, family and community levels in this population. The objective of this research was to analyze the risk factors related to the transition from the child welfare system to the adolescent justice system in a group of Chilean male adolescents (n = 108), aged 14-18 years, grouped according to their membership in the child welfare system, the adolescent justice system or both systems. Through a quantitative methodology, variables associated with risk factors were examined by means of the Risk and Resource Evaluation Form FER-R and the Risk and Criminogenic Needs Inventory IRNC instruments. Logistic regression analysis found that the adolescent population within the child welfare system was more likely to enter the adolescent justice system if the following risk factors were present: weak family supervision, consumption of drugs, socially maladaptive peer relationships, and risky free time. These results emphasize that child welfare system interventions should focus on parental support and the management of socio-community networks to prevent re-entry of the adolescent population into the justice system.

Maternal psychological control and adolescent adjustment: Sleep as a moderator.

Maternal psychological control has been linked consistently to poorer adjustment for adolescents, however, studies of variability in the association between psychological control and adjustment are rare. Sleep serves crucial bioregulatory functions that promote well-being and protect youths against poor adjustment associated with negative family environments. We hypothesised that the link between maternal psychological control and adolescent maladjustment would be strongest for youths with poorer actigraphy-based sleep. The current study included 245 adolescents (Mage = 15.79 years, 52.2% girls, 33.1% Black/African American and 66.9% White/European American; 43% at or below the poverty line). Adolescents reported on their mothers' psychological control toward them, as well as their internalising and externalising symptoms (aggressive and rule breaking behaviours). Several sleep variables were derived: minutes, onset time, and variability in each parameter over 1 week. For youths with shorter, less consistent sleep (both mean levels and variability in minutes and onset), maternal psychological control was associated with adjustment difficulties, especially externalising symptoms. This association was not significant for youth obtaining longer, more consistent sleep. The results were most evident for variability in sleep minutes and onset as moderators of effects. The findings suggest that longer and more consistent sleep is an important protective factor in the context of more controlling parenting.

Relations between social withdrawal subtypes and socio-emotional adjustment among Chinese children and early adolescents.

The aim of the present study was to compare the relations between subtypes of social withdrawal and socio-emotional adjustment in Chinese children and early adolescents. Participants included 571 children (Mage =9.62 years) and 345 adolescents Mage =12.12 years) in mainland China. Social withdrawal subtypes (i.e., shyness, unsociability, social avoidance) and indices of socio-emotional adjustment were assessed via self-reports, peer nominations, and teacher ratings. Shyness tended to be more strongly associated with emotional maladjustment in early adolescence, whereas unsociability was more strongly associated with socio-emotional difficulties in childhood. For social avoidance, associations with indices of negative adjustment (i.e., social anxiety, emotional symptoms, peer problems) were stronger in childhood, however, associations with indices of positive adjustment (i.e., life satisfaction, well-being) were stronger in early adolescence.

Media Biblio Education Based on Identification of Maladjusment Counseling REBT

This research is motivated by the fact that there are several children who have problems such as self-destructive, like to blame others, procrastinate on work and have no tolerance. This study aims to describe the maladjustment behavior of REBT counseling in terms of three indicators and to test the theoretically acceptable educational biblio media. This type of research is research and development. The population of this research is all AKL Department at SMK Negeri 1 Bungo Jambi totaling 122 people with a total sample of 55 people selected using proportional random sampling technique. The research data was obtained through a questionnaire and processed using the percentage technique. The results of the study on the maladjustment model of the REBT counseling approach, based on the identification of maladjustments, showed that there were 29 maladjustments students with a percentage of 52.73% who had many categories of maladjustments. Then after the media testing was carried out on three theoretical experts with the results of the validity of the media being accepted theoretically and suitable to be used to overcome adolescent maladjustment

The influence of psychological control in parenting on children

A large amount of literature suggests that all aspects of children’s live will be impacted by excessive parental psychological control, and this paper finds that excessive parental psychological control has an impact on children's peer relationships, family relationships, and adolescent maladjustment. In particular, when parents do not exert psychological control over their adolescents, the adolescents may become involved in drugs and substance abuse as a result of low-quality peer relationships. In addition, this paper focuses on the fact that Chinese families have stronger psychological control than Western families, and that there are bidirectional effects of psychological control in the Chinese family samples. The results discussed in this paper may provide direction for future research, as psychological control is stronger in the Chinese sample and has bidirectional effects.

Identification Based Education Biblio Media Maladjustment Ego Counseling at SMP N 2 Silaut

This research is motivated by the existence of students who do Maladjustments in their daily activities, namely students who have a perception that when they do not meet their needs, it is considered a negative thing. In addition, guidance and counseling (BK) teachers are also aware of the difficulties in uncovering adolescent problems. The purpose of this study is to identify adolescent Maladjustment based on ego counseling and develop a self-consulting-based Maladjustment tool. This research was conducted at SMPN 2 SILAUT, this type of research is research and development. The steps of this research researcherlimiting 5 development steps, namely (1) potential and problems, (2) data collection, (3) product design, (4) design validation (validated by 3 examiners), (5) design revision. Population of all students as many as 217 students. With sampling using purposive sampling technique with a total sample of 54 students. The instrument used in this research is a questionnaire, while for data analysis using descriptive statistics with percentage techniques. The results of the research on the development of Maladjustment tools based on ego counseling in SMPN 2 SILAUT seen from the results of the identification of adolescent Maladjustments based on ego counseling in general are on a few criteria. Based on this research, it is recommended for BK teachers to further minimize Maladjustment by testing the material designed through this research

Different families, diverse strengths: Long-term implications of early childhood family processes on adolescent positive functioning.

With studies primarily focusing on family risk factors on adolescent maladjustment, less is known about positive family processes that facilitate adolescent positive development. This study aimed to identify different configurations of parental involvement and interparental affection during early childhood from a person-centered approach and examine their long-term implications on adolescent positive functioning at age 15. In a sample of 495 2-parent families (53.3% boys; mothers: 42.0% White, 24.7% Black, 27.4% Hispanic, 5.9% other; family income: Median = $42,500), both parents reported interparental affection and their involvement with the child at the child's age 1 and 5, respectively. Adolescents reported their engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness at age 15. Six profiles of early family processes were identified via the latent profile analysis, including Child-Centered (13.3%; average to high parental involvement and low interparental affection), Distressed Mother (14.5%; low mother involvement and mothers perceiving less affection from fathers), Collaborative (9.9%; relatively more mother involvement with the child and relatively more fathers' affection toward mothers), Cohesive (36.0%; high parental involvement and high interparental affection), Couple-Centered (19.6%; low parental involvement and high interparental affection), and Disengaged (6.7%; low parental involvement and low interparental affection) families. At age 15 (after controlling for family demographics), adolescents in Child-Centered families reported more engagement, adolescents in Cohesive families reported more happiness, adolescents in Cohesive and Collaborative families reported more perseverance and connectedness, and adolescents in Disengaged families reported the lowest optimism. Results highlight that different family configurations during early childhood have differentiated implications on adolescent positive functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The Mediating Role of Psychological Resilience in the Relationship between Emotional Reactivity, Intolerance of Uncertainty and Psychological Maladjustment in Children Receiving Orthodontic Treatment.

The aim of this research was to examine the various psychological characteristics that affect psychological maladjustment in children undergoing orthodontic treatment. In this context, the predictive and mediating relationships between emotional reactivity, intolerance of uncertainty, psychological resilience and psychological maladjustment were considered. The study was conducted cross-sectionally with 543 children and adolescents aged 10–18 years, who were being treated at a state university orthodontic clinic in Turkey. Standardized measurement tools (The Emotional Reactivity Scale, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Brief Resilience Scale and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) and online data collection processes were used in the data collection process. The findings show that emotional reactivity and intolerance of uncertainty pose a risk for psychological maladjustment in children and adolescents receiving orthodontic treatment, but psychological resilience has a protective function against this risk (p < 0.001). It is suggested that these findings may contribute to the expansion of pediatric dentists’ perspectives on the secondary outcomes of orthodontic treatment practices.

Co-rumination with friends exacerbates association between peer victimization and adjustment in adolescence

This study examined the moderating role of co-rumination with friends on the relations between peer victimization and psychological maladjustment (depressive symptoms, anxiety) in Chinese adolescents. Participants included 282 adolescents (118 boys, Mage = 12.90 years, SD = 0.71) who had same-gender reciprocated best friends in rural China. Data on peer victimization, co-rumination with friends, depressive symptoms, and anxiety were collected from peer nomination and self-reports. The findings revealed that the associations between peer victimization and psychological maladjustment were stronger among adolescents who had a higher level of co-rumination with friends. This result suggests that co-rumination with friends may worsen the psychological problems that victimized adolescents face. The results can inform prevention and intervention efforts to improve victimized adolescents' psychological problems by considering the role of victims' high-level of co-rumination with friends.

Negative Parenting, Adolescents' Emotion Regulation, Self-Efficacy in Emotion Regulation, and Psychological Adjustment.

This study examines associations between parents’ rejection and control, adolescents’ self-efficacy in their regulation of negative emotions, and maladjustment. Path analyses were employed to test (a) whether adolescents’ dysregulation and self-efficacy regarding anger/sadness regulation mediate the relationship between parental rejection/control and adolescent maladjustment; (b) whether adolescent adjustment mediates the association between parental rejection/control and dysregulation and self-efficacy regarding anger/sadness regulation. Participants included 103 Italian adolescents (Time 1: M age = 15.57; 53% male), their mothers (n = 103), and their fathers (n = 79). Follow up data were assessed one year later (Time 2). At Time 1, adolescent reports of the frequency of mothers’ and fathers’ rejection and control were examined. At Time 2, adolescent-reports of their beliefs about self-efficacy in regulating anger and sadness, as well as anger and sadness dysregulation, were assessed by two methods: questionnaire and mobile ecological momentary assessment. At Time 2, mothers’, fathers’, and adolescents’ reports of adolescents’ aggressive behaviors and depressive problems were also assessed. Maternal rejection was associated with higher one year later aggressive problems, which in turn were associated with higher dysregulation of sadness, and lower self-efficacy in dealing with both anger and sadness. In addition, maternal rejection was associated with higher depressive symptoms one year later, which in turn were associated with lower self-efficacy in dealing with sadness and higher dysregulation of both anger and sadness. Finally, maternal control was associated with higher depressive symptoms, whereas paternal control was associated with lower depressive symptoms.

Developmental Assets in South African Adolescents Exposed to Violence: a Qualitative Study on Resilience

Violence exposure is associated with psychological and behavioural maladjustment in adolescents. Yet, not all adolescents exposed to violence experience negative symptoms. Resilience is an outcome that is in part determined by multiple protective factors, or developmental assets, that protect adolescents from the negative influence of encountered stressors and allow them to attain positive developmental outcomes. A qualitative study was conducted to acquire an in-depth understanding of the developmental assets across different layers in the ecological system that promote positive psychological and behavioural functioning in South African adolescents exposed to violence. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with a multi-ethnic group (black, white, and people of mixed heritage) of South African adolescents (boy: n = 17; girl: n = 13; age: 14–19 years) from seven schools in Cape Town. Adolescents reported both internal and external assets that helped them adaptively cope with violence exposure. The internal assets entailed individual characteristics and skills, including commitment to learning, positive values, positive identity, social competencies, and emotional insight. The external assets were boundaries and expectations, social support from adolescents’ peers, family, school, and community, and adolescents’ constructive use of time. The findings of the study may inform strengths-based interventions to enhance emotional and behavioural skills in adolescents at risk for violence exposure. Moreover, involving key stakeholders in the interventions from major developmental domains can be particularly helpful to optimise the social support that are needed for adolescents to be resilient.

Internet Addiction and Emotional and Behavioral Maladjustment in Mainland Chinese Adolescents: Cross-Lagged Panel Analyses.

Adolescence is a developmental stage when adolescents are vulnerable to addictive behaviors, such as Internet addiction (IA), which refers to pathological use of the Internet. Although there are views proposing that the links between IA and adolescent problem behavior may be bidirectional in nature, few studies have examined the reciprocal relationships between IA and other maladjustment indicators, and even fewer studies have simultaneously employed both emotional and behavioral maladjustment indicators in a single study. To address the above research gaps, the present study investigated how IA is associated with both depression and delinquency among Chinese adolescents. Two waves of data were collected at two consecutive years, respectively, with 1year apart, from 3,010 students (Mean age=13.16, SD=0.81; 57.48% boys) in four junior high schools in mainland China. These students completed the same questionnaire containing measures of IA, depression, and delinquency at each wave. The proposed cross-lagged panel model fitted the data very well, and there were significant positive reciprocal effects between IA and depression as well as delinquency after controlling for background socio-demographic factors. Gender differences were also observed in multi-group comparisons. Specifically, IA showed a stronger longitudinal impact on delinquency among boys than among girls. While depression significantly predicted IA in 1year among boys, such a prediction was not significant among girls. These findings delineate the bidirectionality of the associations between IA and emotional and behavioral maladjustment indexed by depression and delinquency, respectively. The findings also suggest that researchers and practitioners have to take gender differences as well as different developmental indicators in understanding the bidirectional influences between IA and adolescent behavioral and emotional development.

Bidirectional relationship between parental psychological control and adolescent maladjustment

IntroductionThis study explores the longitudinal and bidirectional relations between paternal/maternal psychological control and adolescent maladjustment (i.e., internalizing symptoms, aggression, and association with deviant peers). MethodsThis longitudinal investigation was conducted at two time points over a one-year interval with participants comprising 543 Chinese adolescents aged 10 to 13 (mean age at Time 1 = 11.29; 51.93% girls). The performed measurements encompassed paternal/maternal psychological control, adolescent internalizing symptoms, aggression, association with deviant peers, and demographic information. ResultsThe findings of a cross-lagged model analysis revealed that paternal psychological control was longitudinally and positively related to adolescent internalizing symptoms and aggression. Maternal psychological control was not significantly related to any domain of adolescent maladjustment. In turn, adolescent association with deviant peers was longitudinally and positively associated with both parents’ psychological control. ConclusionsParental psychological control was bidirectionally associated with adolescent maladjustment in general, and paternal psychological control played a crucial role on adolescent maladjustment in the Chinese cultural context. The study's findings supported the reciprocal model of parent–child interaction, and extended it by highlighting the apprehension of the characteristics of parental impact from a cultural perspective. The study results add to the current scholarly understanding of parental psychological control in the non-western cultural context.