Abstract:

According to social learning theory, parents are usually role models of non deviance who provide unfavorable definitions of deviant attitudes and behaviors and reinforce those standards through disciplinary actions. However parents who endorse deviant attitudes and behaviors themselves and are inconsistent and erratic in their supervision and disciplinary practices are likely to promote deviant attitudes and behaviors in their children (Akers, 2000). Positive relationships within the family, parental support, a consistent and constructive parental discipline style and adult supervision tend to be related negatively to adolescents deviant behaviors and their associations with deviant peers (Fergusson & Horwood, 1999). In a study by Sankey & Huon (1999) it was found poor family relationships to be associated with higher levels of delinquent behaviors, possibly due to the fact that parents in those families provided poor role models and engaged in ineffective discipline strategies. A study was conducted on 113 at risk students to examine whether parental factors could contribute to their misbehavior problems. The students were interviewed using open-ended questions. The raw data were analyzed qualitatively, using NVivo software to churn out categories of psychological factors. Findings showed that the adolescents do have problems with their families including lack of parental attention, communication problems, poor relationship between parents, having big family and low income, too much control by parents and adolescents were confused with their role as children. The implications of the findings were discussed in terms of the future well being of these adolescents.

Keywords:

Adolescents’ Misbehavior, parental factors.