Exploring the Relationship Between Self-Discrepancy and Adolescents' Internalizing/Externalizing Problem Behaviors

• Main Authors: HSU,YUAN-YU, 許元瑜
• Other Authors: TSENG,YU-HAN
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/23149976645665965768

碩士 === 玄奘大學 === 應用心理學系碩士班 === 104 === Background information and research purpose: In the past most of the research on adolescent problem behavior talks about internalizing problems and externalizing problems separately. Internalizing problem behaviors include depression and anxiety, and were often been done through self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). Externalizing problem behaviors are famous for its maturity gap theory (Moffitt, 1993). However, adolescences with externalizing problems might have internalizing problems in the same time. How can we combine these two in the research? This research tries to redefine maturity gap theory with a new angle from self-discrepancy theory in order to discuss which kind of self-discrepancy would create simultaneously internalizing and externalizing problems. This research has two purposes: one is to conduct the operational definition of maturity gap with the point of view from self-discrepancy and create the measurement tool. The other is to discuss the relations between different self-discrepancies and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Research hypothesis: 1. Self-discrepancy during puberty is related to maturity gap. 2. Self-discrepancy during puberty is related to internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, however, broader self-discrepancy is only related to the former ones. Methods: The research was done with convenience sampling by collecting 206 freshman and sophomore high school subjects. A self-administered questionnaire interview was given to measure self-discrepancy, maturity gap and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Results: Regardless of self-discrepancy during puberty or broader self-discrepancy are not significantly associated with maturity gap. However, two kinds of self-discrepancies and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors have significant correlation. Through stepwise regression analysis, broader self-discrepancy can alone predict internalizing problem behaviors. On the other hand, self-discrepancy during puberty can predict externalizing problem behaviors. Discussion and Conclusion: There are still differences between maturity gap and adolescent self-discrepancy, which proves the two are not the same construct and that self-discrepancy theory is also applicable to the adolescent externalizing problem behaviors.