Satisfaction of conduct-disordered and substance-abusing youth with their parents

Conduct-disordered and substance-abusing adolescents (N = 132) completed th e Youth Happiness With Parent Scale (YHPS). The YHPS measures youth happine ss with parental behaviors across 11 domains (e.g., communication, chores, and discipline) as well as a single item reflecting overall happiness. Resu lts indicated that youth satisfaction did not vary as a function of parents ' or youths' age, ethnic minority status, or gender. Although youth were re latively dissatisfied with their parents across behavioral domains (particu larly illegal behaviors, drug use, school conduct, and alcohol use), they w ere fairly satisfied with their parents overall. Youth happiness with paren tal behaviors was negatively related to externalizing but not internalizing behavioral problems of the youth. Study implications and future directions are discussed in light of the results.