Family Processes as Predictors of Antisocial Behaviors among Adolescents from Urban, Single-Mother Malay Families in Malaysia

Abstract

This study set out to determine the relationship between family processes (i.e. parenting behavior, family values and family competency) and antisocial behavior among adolescents (m = 14.42 years) from urban, single-mother families in Malaysia. The sample comprised 240 Malay single mother-adolescent dyads from four states in Peninsula Malaysia. Findings revealed that parenting behavior (r = -0.29, p < .001) and family competency (r = -0.20, p < .01) were significantly and negatively related to adolescent antisocial behavior. None of the family background variables were significantly related to adolescent antisocial behavior. After controlling for family background variables, multiple regression results indicated that both parenting behavior and family competency uniquely predicted antisocial behavior (F = 12.24; p < .001). The results suggest that Malaysian adolescents from urban single-mother families with low functioning and low parenting quality were at higher risk for engaging in antisocial behaviors. Implications on research and practice as well as Malaysian social policies are considered.