Adolescents' mental health and their images of self and parents

• The relation between images of self and parents as defined in interpersonal theory and by the Structural Analysis of Social Behaviour (Benjamin), and internalizing and externalizing problems, as defined by the Youth Self-Report (Achenbach) was studied in a sample of 199 nonclinical adolescents (92 boys and 107 girls) aged between 13 and 17 years. Regression analyses showed that the pattern relating images of self and parents to mental health problems was different for boys and girls. Internalizing problems for girls were best predicted from aspects of their self-image while for boys parental behaviour played a larger role. A pattern of self-blame and lower self-affirmation together with parental blame was important for girls’ externalizing problems and a pattern of self-neglect and low self-autonomy and an uncertainty of parental love were important for boys externalizing problems. Results emphasize that boys and girls have different kinds of vulnerabilities as risk factors for mental health problems.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

adolescence

mental health

image of self

image of parents

SASB

YSR

Psychology

Psykologi

Psychology

psykologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)