engleski

PARENTAL BEHAVIOUR AND PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT IN ADOLESCENCE

Adolescence is a period of development in which the most profound changes in various aspects of functioning (physical, cognitive, emotional and social) impose an increased risk for problems in psychosocial adjustment. Although many young people go through adolescence with some minor difficulties, some face significant problems in development and they may require some help. Therefore, in studies of the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents what is attempted the examination of the factors responsible for the occurrence of certain problems and it is often stated that behavioral and emotional problems in adolescents are multiply determined by personal and environmental factors. Parental behavior stands out as the most important environmental factor in child development. Moreover, numerous studies showed that the most consistent predictor of psychosocial adjustment of adolescents is the quality of the relationship between parent and child. In this chapter, not only will research from abroad be included, but Croatian research as well which examines the relation between psychosocial adjustment in adolescents and the various dimensions of parental behavior (emotionality, behavioral and psychological control). The separate and distinct role of both mothers and fathers in explaining the specific difficulties of the internalized and externalized type in adolescents will be taken into consideration. Furthermore, it will outline an empirical test of the theoretical model which emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation as a mediating mechanism through which parents influence the psychosocial adjustment of adolescents. A separate sub-section will be devoted to the effects of parental conflict on the psychosocial functioning of adolescents. Finally, the results of research conducted in Croatia, which consider the importance of children's interpretation of the conflict between parents in the explanation of their problems will be presented.

psychosocial adjustment (internalized and externalized problems), dimensions of parental behavior (emotionality, behavioral and psychological control), emotional regulation, interparental conflicts, adolescence

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