The relation of parental practices and self-conceptions to young adolescent problem behaviors and substance use

The object of the present research was to examine the role of parenting pra ctices for young adolescent psychosocial adjustment and self-regulation pro blems. The sample included 287 sixth- and seventh-grade subjects from intac t families. The participants completed a questionnaire that measured variab les including family interaction, parental involvement in children's activi ties, parental support, joint decision-making, and monitoring of children's behavior. Children's involvement with friends, after-school activities, sc hool achievement, and self-reported externalizing behaviors (problem behavi ors, cigarette and alcohol use) were also measured. Self-concept domains (s cholastic competence, social acceptance, and behavioral conduct) were asses sed with Harter's Self-Perception Profile. The findings indicated that self -conceptions of positive behavioral conduct and higher parental monitoring of children's activities were consistently negatively related to young girl s' and boys' behavior problems and substance use. Parental monitoring was h igher for girls and for younger children. Lower monitoring was also related to children's pattern of after-school activities that were connected to at -risk behavior. Parental involvement and supervision of children's day-to-d ay activities seem particularly important in socializing children's behavio r at the time of early adolescence.