Abstract:
Stressful events of both major and minor magnitude in
the lives of children and adolescents are significantly
related to emotional and behavioral problems (Compas, 1987a;
Johnson, 1986). It is also apparent, however, that this
relationship is complicated and that individuals vary greatly
in their responses to stress. The purpose of this study was
to explore factors that mediate the relationship between
negative life events and behavioral problems during
adolescence.
In this study, it was hypothesized that negative life
events would lower personal resources which, in turn, would
lower social resources. Adolescents with lower levels of
personal and social resources were predicted to have higher
levels of delinquent behavior.
Data were collected from 217 of the 9th graders in a high
school in a coastal community of Oregon. One hundred sixty-one
returned completed surveys. The following scales were
used; the Divorce Events Schedule for Children (Sandler,
Wolchik, Braver, & Fogas, 1986), a shortened form of the
Adolescent Perceived Events Scale (Compas, Davis, Forsythe, &
Wagner, 1987),; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965);
Desirable and Undesirable Event Locus of Control Scale
(Rothbaum, Wolfer, & Visintainer, 1979); Erikson Psychosocial
Stage Inventory (Rosenthal, Gurney, & Moore, 1981); Social
Support Scale for Children (Harter, 1986); Delinquency
Lifestyle Scale (Ageton & Elliott, 1978). For data analysis,
a series of path analyses using regression techniques was
used.
Results indicated that coping resources mediated the
relationship between negative life events and delinquent
behavior. A high level of stress was related to lower levels
of personal resources. These personal resources were not
directly related to more delinquent behavior, however.
Rather, they were associated with lower social support and
then more delinquent behavior.
The findings related to specific personal resources were
both consistent and contrary to predictions. Negative life
events lowered self-esteem, identity, and autonomy development
significantly. Consistent with previous research, adolescents
with external locus of control orientation had more delinquent
behavior and perceived less social support. Social support
was a mediator between negative life events and delinquent
behavior, implying the importance of social support from
family, school, and peer in preventing delinquent behavior
among adolescents.
