Negative Life Events, Behavior Problems and Self-Regulation of Adolescents from Low Socio-Economic Status

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between negative life events and emotional-behavioral problems among adolescents from low SES; and the mediator role of self-regulation (SR) in this relationship. The study consisted of a sample of 358 7th and 8th grade-students living in Esenler neighborhood, Istanbul. Students were asked to complete a series of questionnaires, including Demographic Information Form, Life Events Checklist, Self-Regulation Inventory and Youth Self Report (YSR). Path Analysis was run to examine the associations between negative life events and internalizing-externalizing problems via self-regulation. Stability of these relationships across gender was also examined by multiple-group path analysis. Results showed that negative life events predicted both internalizing and externalizing problems directly and indirectly via self-regulation. As the number of negative life events increased, the level of self-regulation skills deteriorated, in turn, it predicted internalizing and externalizing problems. Negative life events more strongly predicted internalizing problems than externalizing problems, whereas self-regulation more strongly predicted externalizing problems than internalizing problems. Besides, the relationship between negative life events and emotional-behavioral problems, and the mediator role of self-regulation in the link between negative life events and problem behaviors did not change across gender. These findings were discussed in relation to the relevant literature focusing on the indicators and outcomes of self-regulation skills among adolescents.