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Effects of Parental Divorce, Parental Involvement, and Teacher Support on Adolescents’ Externalizing Behaviors: A National Survey Study

Author

Listed:
  • Yangu Pan

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics
    University of California)

  • Di Zhou

    (University of Electronic Science and Technology of China)

  • Guangzeng Liu

    (Southwest Minzu University)

  • Junyao Wang

    (Southwestern University of Finance and Economics)

  • Zesong Dong

    (Guilin Normal College)

Abstract

Parental involvement and teacher support have protective effects on adolescents’ externalizing behaviors. However, few studies investigated their interaction on externalizing behaviors among Chinese adolescents from divorced families. Guided by the stress-buffering theory, this cross-sectional study investigated the interactive effects between parental divorce, parental involvement, and teacher support on adolescents’ externalizing behaviors among Chinese adolescents. Participants were the nationally representative sample of 8218 Chinese students (Mage = 14.51 years, SD = 0.68 years; including 560 students from divorced families and 7658 students from intact families). Parental involvement, teacher support, and externalizing behaviors were primarily measured by related items in a student-reported questionnaire. Results indicated that: (1) adolescents from divorced families had lower levels of parental involvement and higher levels of externalizing behaviors compared with adolescents from intact families; (2) teacher support had stronger protective effect on externalizing behaviors among adolescents from divorced families compared with adolescents from intact families; (3) the interactive effect between parental involvement and teacher support on externalizing behaviors was significant among adolescents from divorced families, but not significant for adolescents from intact families. These findings support the stress-buffering model of social support, and have important practical implications for preventing externalizing behaviors among adolescents from divorced families.

Suggested Citation

  • Yangu Pan & Di Zhou & Guangzeng Liu & Junyao Wang & Zesong Dong, 2025. "Effects of Parental Divorce, Parental Involvement, and Teacher Support on Adolescents’ Externalizing Behaviors: A National Survey Study," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 20(1), pages 67-89, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ariqol:v:20:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11482-024-10396-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11482-024-10396-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaoxiao Liu & Cuicui Wang & Daoyang Wang & Weiwei Liu, 2024. "School Acceptance and Support Moderate the Relationship Between Parental Divorce and Adolescents’ Prosocial Behavior: A Longitudinal Study," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(3), pages 905-919, June.
    2. Berenice Monna & Anne Gauthier, 2008. "A Review of the Literature on the Social and Economic Determinants of Parental Time," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 29(4), pages 634-653, December.
    3. Daniel R. Meyer & Md Moshi Ul Alam & Marcia Carlson, 2022. "Increases in shared custody after divorce in the United States," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 46(38), pages 1137-1162.
    4. Ma, Haoling & Li, Dexian & Zhu, Xingchen, 2023. "Effects of parental involvement and family socioeconomic status on adolescent problem behaviors in China," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    5. Yanwen Ouyang & Daoqun Ding & Xizheng Xu, 2022. "Problem Behaviors of Adolescents: The Role of Family Socioeconomic Status, Parental Educational Expectations, and Adolescents’ Confidence in the Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-11, November.
    6. Hamama, Liat & Ronen-Shenhav, Anat, 2012. "Self-control, social support, and aggression among adolescents in divorced and two-parent families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 1042-1049.
    7. repec:plo:pone00:0222021 is not listed on IDEAS
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