Early Adolescent Decision Making and Behavioral Adjustment: Are Associations Moderated by Relationship Quality?

• Main Author: Marrero, Matthew Donald
• Other Authors: Loren Marks
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: LSU 2007
• Subjects: Human Ecology
• Online Access: http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-11132007-105030/

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between early adolescent decision making and behavioral adjustment with special interest in the interaction between parent-child relationship quality and decision making on behavioral adjustment. Associations were examined using data provided by 218 early adolescents. Girls comprised half the sample and the mean age was just over 11 years old. Main effects were consistent with previous research. Early adolescent decision making was associated with greater behavior problems and depressed mood. Parent-child relationship quality was defined as conflict and acceptance. Greater conflict was associated with poor behavioral adjustment while greater acceptance was associated with more positive behavioral adjustment. Multiple regression analysis was used to test possible interactions between early adolescent decision making and conflict and acceptance on each behavioral adjustment variable (behavior problems, depressed mood, and school performance). Consistent with previous research, neither conflict nor acceptance moderated the associations between early adolescent decision making and behavioral adjustment.