Relationships with parents and peers as predictors of emotional and behavioral adjustment during adolescence

Abstract

The aim of the research was to study the influence of relationships with peers and parents on adolescent emotional and behavioural adjustment. Particularly we analyse the independent contribution of parents and peers to adolescent development, and the possible interaction effect between both relationships.The sample was made up of a total of 221 boys and 292 girls, aged between 13 and 19 years. Subjects filled out a questionnaire that included queries about family and peer- group relationships and various aspects of emotional adjustment (self-esteem and life satisfaction) and behavioural adjustment (school grades and alcohol and drug consumption). Results reveal that parental support promote general adjustment of boys and girls in early and middle adolescence. Peer attachment has a positive influence on emotional adjustment until late adolescence, however this influence is not so clear over behavioural adjustment. Results did not show interaction effects, so it reveal that parents and peers have an independent influence on adolescence adjustment: adolescents with less parental support and less peer attachment have more emotional and behavioural problems.