Impact of Pubertal Timing and Parental Control on Adolescent Problem Behaviors

• NCJ Number: 222286
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 37 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2008 Pages: 445-455
• Author(s): Rubab G. Arum; Jennifer D. Shapka
• Date Published: April 2008
• Length: 11 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Among a sample of 267 youth 9 to 16 years old, this study examined the interaction among the variables of pubertal timing, parental control, and problem behaviors (emotional and behavioral), with attention to the combined influence of the first 2 variables on problem behaviors.

Abstract

Empirical support was found for the interaction between pubertal timing and parental control in influencing adolescent problem behaviors. The study found that early-maturing and late-maturing adolescents tended to perceive their fathers as using less behavioral and psychological control, respectively. There were no differences between mothers' and fathers' use of psychological and behavioral control over adolescent boys and girls. The interaction between pubertal timing and maternal psychological control suggests that early-maturing adolescents who perceive their mothers as more controlling are more likely to report problem behaviors. A contrasting finding was found for emotional problems, which showed that early-maturing boys who perceived their fathers as more psychologically controlling were less likely to report emotional problems. For girls, on-time maturation and low levels of paternal psychological control were associated with low levels of emotional problems. Recommendations are offered for future research. Participants were recruited from one elementary and one secondary school (grades 5 to 10) classes in a city in British Columbia (Canada). A questionnaire administered to students measured pubertal timing with the Pubertal Development Scale. Parental psychological control was measured with the Psychological Control Scale-Youth Self-Report, and behavioral control was determined with the Parental Regulation Scale-Youth Self report. Emotional and behavioral problems were identified with the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment for ages 11-18. 3 tables, 3 figures, and 45 references