The influence of emotional difficulty, parent-child relationship, peer relationships, materially-oriented and appearance-oriented attitudes on adolescent problem behavior

Abstract

This study explored predictors of adolescent problem behavior utilizing panel data from the National Youth Policy Institute. Data were collected from June 2013 to August 2013 from 3195 middle school students living in 15 cities of South Korea. Data were analysed using hierarchical regression in two steps. The first step included gender and school record; the second step added emotional difficulty, parent-child relationship, peer relationships, self-esteem, materially oriented attitude, and appearance-oriented attitude. Results showed that male students had greater problem behaviors than female students. Greater emotional difficulties were associated with greater problem behaviors. On the other hand, a better parent-child relationship and better peer relationships were related to fewer problem behaviors. Notably, greater materially and appearance-oriented attitudes were related to greater problem behaviors. This study implies that excessively extrinsic values or attitudes should be discouraged to prevent teenager problem behavior.