The interplay between pubertal timing, parental control and adolescent problem behaviors

• Main Author: Arim, Rubab G.
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/15208

This study was undertaken to investigate the interplay between pubertal timing, parental control, and problem behaviors. More specifically, this study examined the relationships between (a) pubertal timing and problem behaviors; and (b) parental control and problem behaviors. The link between pubertal timing and parental control was also explored to determine whether this relationship itself influences behavioral outcomes. A total of 267 (93 male, 167 female) students, whose ages ranged from 9 to 16 years participated in the study. Regarding pubertal timing, the findings indicated that pubertal timing was associated with externalizing problem behaviors; however, there was no significant relationship between pubertal timing and internalizing problem behaviors. This suggests that pubertal timing may not be a critical a variable in understanding individual differences in all kinds of problem behavior. Regarding parental control, it was found that both maternal and paternal psychological control predicted adolescent internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, even after controlling for the effects of behavioral control. The results suggested that the use of behavioral control is differentially related to developmental outcomes, depending on the domain in which it is utilized. Furthermore, the findings highlighted the value of fathers in fostering optimal adolescent development. Finally, the combined influence of pubertal timing and parental control on adolescent problem behaviors was not found to be significant. Several directions for future research are discussed in light of these findings.