IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/chinre/v13y2020i5d10.1007_s12187-020-09719-7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Influence of Adolescent Problem Behaviors on Life Satisfaction: Parent–Child Subsystem Qualities as Mediators

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaoqin Zhu

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Daniel T. L. Shek

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Abstract

Research studies showed that adolescent problem behaviors were negatively associated with their life satisfaction. However, the negative impact of problem behaviors on life satisfaction has not been sufficiently researched using longitudinal design and the potential mechanisms have not been well examined. The present study attempted to investigate how early adolescents’ externalizing and internalizing behaviors affect their life satisfaction (LS) as well as the mediating effects of parent-child subsystem qualities. Based on a sample of 2669 Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong who were followed up for three years, the present study found that both externalizing and internalizing behavior led to a decrease in LS among adolescents over time. While parental behavioral control and parent-child relational quality mediated the effects of externalizing behavior, parental factors did not mediate the effects of internalizing behavior. More specifically, parents tended to respond to children’s externalizing behavior by reducing parental involvement and warmth, which subsequently resulted in lower LS of adolescents. The findings imply that it is necessary to promote adolescent LS by reducing their problem behaviors. Moreover, parents should develop effective ways to enhance their understanding of children’s emotional and behavioral difficulties.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoqin Zhu & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2020. "The Influence of Adolescent Problem Behaviors on Life Satisfaction: Parent–Child Subsystem Qualities as Mediators," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(5), pages 1767-1789, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:13:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1007_s12187-020-09719-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s12187-020-09719-7
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12187-020-09719-7
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12187-020-09719-7?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2010. "Life Satisfaction, Positive Youth Development, and Problem Behaviour Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 95(3), pages 455-474, February.
    2. Wang, Bo & Stanton, Bonita & Li, Xiaoming & Cottrell, Lesley & Deveaux, Lynette & Kaljee, Linda, 2013. "The influence of parental monitoring and parent–adolescent communication on Bahamian adolescent risk involvement: A three-year longitudinal examination," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 161-169.
    3. Piotr Tarka, 2018. "An overview of structural equation modeling: its beginnings, historical development, usefulness and controversies in the social sciences," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(1), pages 313-354, January.
    4. Daniel T. L. Shek & Li Lin, 2016. "What Predicts Adolescent Delinquent Behavior in Hong Kong? A Longitudinal Study of Personal and Family Factors," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 129(3), pages 1291-1318, December.
    5. William Pavot & Ed Diener, 1993. "The affective and cognitive context of self-reported measures of subjective well-being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 28(1), pages 1-20, January.
    6. Daniel T. L. Shek & Lu Yu & Florence K. Y. Wu & Xiaoqin Zhu & Kevin H. Y. Chan, 2017. "A 4-year Longitudinal Study of Well-being of Chinese University Students in Hong Kong," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 12(4), pages 867-884, December.
    7. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2013. "Longitudinal Influences of Positive Youth Development and Life Satisfaction on Problem Behaviour among Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1171-1197, December.
    8. Carmel Proctor & P. Linley & John Maltby, 2009. "Youth Life Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 10(5), pages 583-630, October.
    9. Caché M. Archer & Xu Jiang & Idia B. Thurston & Randy G. Floyd, 2019. "The Differential Effects of Perceived Social Support on Adolescent Hope: Testing the Moderating Effects of Age and Gender," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(6), pages 2079-2094, December.
    10. Livy Fogle & E. Scott Huebner & James Laughlin, 2002. "The Relationship between Temperament and Life Satisfaction in Early Adolescence: Cognitive and Behavioral Mediation Models," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 3(4), pages 373-392, December.
    11. Daniel T. L. Shek & Lu-Yin Liang, 2018. "Psychosocial Factors Influencing Individual Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong: a Six-Year Longitudinal Study," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(3), pages 561-584, September.
    12. Laura Bogart & Rebecca Collins & Phyllis Ellickson & David Klein, 2007. "Are Adolescent Substance Users Less Satisfied with Life as Young Adults and if so, Why?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 81(1), pages 149-169, March.
    13. David Evans, 1994. "Enhancing quality of life in the population at large," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 47-88, August.
    14. Adeem Ahmad Massarwi & Mona Khoury-Kassabri & Rana Eseed, 2019. "The Correlation Between Delinquent Peers and Perpetration of Serious Physical Violence: Religiosity as a Protective Factor," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 12(6), pages 2051-2065, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhu, Xiaoqin & Shek, Daniel TL, 2021. "Parental factors and adolescent well-being: Associations between developmental trajectories," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    2. Annis Lai Chu Fung & Guangdong Zhou & Eileen Yuk Ha Tsang & Andrew Yiu Tsang Low & Bess Yin Hung Lam, 2021. "The Age and Gender Effect on Four Forms of Peer Victimization among Chinese Children and Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(6), pages 2439-2456, December.
    3. Zheng Zhou & Daniel T. L. Shek & Xiaoqin Zhu & Li Lin, 2021. "The Influence of Moral Character Attributes on Adolescent Life Satisfaction: the Mediating Role of Responsible Behavior," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(3), pages 1293-1313, June.
    4. Yu Ling & Xiaojin Hu & Caili Liu & E. Scott Huebner & Yong Wei, 2022. "The Interaction Between Peer Social Support and Stressors Predicts Somatic and Psychological Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 333-349, February.
    5. Xiaoqin Zhu & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2021. "Problem Behavior and Life Satisfaction in Early Adolescence: Longitudinal Findings in a Chinese Context," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 2889-2914, October.
    6. Sanghyun Park, 2022. "Examining Trajectories of Early Adolescents’ Life Satisfaction in South Korea Using a Growth Mixture Model," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 149-168, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xiaoqin Zhu & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2021. "Problem Behavior and Life Satisfaction in Early Adolescence: Longitudinal Findings in a Chinese Context," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(7), pages 2889-2914, October.
    2. Zhu, Xiaoqin & Shek, Daniel TL, 2021. "Parental factors and adolescent well-being: Associations between developmental trajectories," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    3. Daniel T. L. Shek & Lu-Yin Liang, 2018. "Psychosocial Factors Influencing Individual Well-Being in Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong: a Six-Year Longitudinal Study," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(3), pages 561-584, September.
    4. Cecilia M. S. Ma, 2020. "The Relationship Between Social Support and Life Satisfaction Among Chinese and Ethnic Minority Adolescents in Hong Kong: the Mediating Role of Positive Youth Development," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(2), pages 659-679, April.
    5. Xiaofeng Xu & Qingqing Nie & Wang Liu & E. Scott Huebner & Lili Tian, 2022. "Children’s Life Satisfaction: Developmental Trajectories and Environmental and Personality Predictors," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2805-2826, August.
    6. Zi Jia Ng & Eugene Scott Huebner & Alberto Maydeu-Olivares & Kimberly Joy Hills, 2018. "Confirmatory Factor Analytic Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) in a Longitudinal Sample of Adolescents," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 11(4), pages 1237-1247, August.
    7. Daniel Shek & Xiang Li, 2016. "Perceived School Performance, Life Satisfaction, and Hopelessness: A 4-Year Longitudinal Study of Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 126(2), pages 921-934, March.
    8. Ricarda Steinmayr & Linda Wirthwein & Laura Modler & Margaret M. Barry, 2019. "Development of Subjective Well-Being in Adolescence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-23, September.
    9. Xu Jiang & Dexin Shi & Allyson K. Topps & Caché M. Archer, 2020. "From Family Support to Goal-Directed Behaviors: Examining the Mediating Role of Cognitive Well-Being Factors," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1015-1035, March.
    10. Deniz Yucel & Anastasia S. Vogt Yuan, 2016. "Parents, Siblings, or Friends? Exploring Life Satisfaction among Early Adolescents," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 11(4), pages 1399-1423, December.
    11. Jorge J. Varela & Shazly Savahl & Sabirah Adams & Fernando Reyes, 2020. "Examining the Relationship Among Bullying, School Climate and Adolescent Well-Being in Chile and South Africa: a Cross Cultural Comparison," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 13(3), pages 819-838, June.
    12. Robert F. Valois & Jelani C. Kerr & Michael P. Carey & Larry K. Brown & Daniel Romer & Ralph J. DiClemente & Peter A. Vanable, 2020. "Neighborhood Stress and Life Satisfaction: Is there a Relationship for African American Adolescents?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(1), pages 273-296, March.
    13. Daniel T. L. Shek & Li Lin, 2016. "What Predicts Adolescent Delinquent Behavior in Hong Kong? A Longitudinal Study of Personal and Family Factors," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 129(3), pages 1291-1318, December.
    14. Janette McDougall & Virginia Wright & Megan Nichols & Linda Miller, 2013. "Assessing the Psychometric Properties of Both a Global and a Domain-Specific Perceived Quality of Life Measure When Used with Youth Who Have Chronic Conditions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1243-1257, December.
    15. Cecilia M. S. Ma & Catie C. W. Lai, 2021. "Contextual Influence of Risk and Protective Factors on Chinese Adolescent Psychological Well-Being, Delinquent Behavior and Academic Performance: the Role of Family and Friends," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(6), pages 2351-2369, December.
    16. Rachel Sun & Daniel Shek, 2013. "Longitudinal Influences of Positive Youth Development and Life Satisfaction on Problem Behaviour among Adolescents in Hong Kong," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 114(3), pages 1171-1197, December.
    17. Wenyu Chai & Xiang Li & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2022. "The Effectiveness of a Leadership Subject Using a Hybrid Teaching Mode during the Pandemic: Objective Outcome and Subjective Outcome Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    18. Cecilia M. S. Ma & Daniel T. L. Shek & Jenna M. T. Chen, 2019. "Changes in the Participants in a Community-Based Positive Youth Development Program in Hong Kong: Objective Outcome Evaluation Using a One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 14(4), pages 961-979, September.
    19. Sze Mon Lo & Ho Cheong Wong & Ching Yee Lam & Daniel T. L. Shek, 2021. "An Innovative Multidisciplinary Healthcare Model in Student Mental Health: Experience in Hong Kong," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(1), pages 301-313, February.
    20. Daniel T. L. Shek & Xiaoqin Zhu, 2019. "Paternal and Maternal Influence on Delinquency among Early Adolescents in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-24, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:chinre:v:13:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1007_s12187-020-09719-7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.