Family functioning and adolescent psychological maladjustment: the mediating role of coping strategies

Rita Francisco*, Sara Loios, Marta Pedro

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the mediating role of coping strategies in the relationship between family functioning and youth maladjustment. A community sample of 341 adolescents (M = 15.11 years old; SD = 1.71) completed self-report measures about such variables. Results showed that a perception of an inadequate family functioning was associated with the use of maladaptive coping strategies, as well as with youth psychological maladjustment. The results also revealed that rumination and support-seeking mediated the relationship between family functioning and internalizing behavior, and hostile expression of feelings played a mediating role between family functioning and externalizing behavior. No gender differences were found in the relationship between variables. This study emphasizes the importance of coping strategies used by adolescents to understand the relationship between family functioning and youth psychological maladjustment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)759-770
Number of pages12
JournalChild Psychiatry and Human Development
Volume47
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adolescent maladjustment
  • Coping
  • Family functioning
  • Gender differences

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