The Impact of Parents’ Psychological Control on the Problem Behaviour of Adolescents

¹ Business school, Wuchang University of Technology, 430200 Wuhan, China
² Normal College, Changzhou Institute of Technology, 213000 Changzhou, China
³ School of Music, Henan University of Finance and Economics, Zhengzhou, 450000, China

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of parental psychological control (PPC) on adolescent problem behaviors, grounded in both theoretical and empirical analyses. Adolescent problem behaviors have become increasingly prevalent and severe worldwide, with mental health issues often manifesting as internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Family education — particularly PPC — plays a central role in adolescent development. The findings indicate that PPC is significantly positively correlated with both internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescents. This correlation is mediated by autonomy, emotional regulation, and the development of self-identity, and shows cross-cultural consistency. The study further uncovers underlying mechanisms such as thwarted basic psychological needs and disrupted emotional regulation, confirming the predictive role of psychological control in adolescent problem behaviors. Additionally, a moderating effect of gender was observed. Practical recommendations include: parents should reduce psychological control and adopt supportive parenting practices that respect adolescents’ autonomy; schools should collaborate with families and implement mental health education to support parenting improvements; and communities should establish mental health support systems for adolescents. However, this study lacks the exploration into emerging factors such as digital media usage. Future research should incorporate developments in information technology to offer more precise theoretical frameworks and practical solutions for adolescent mental health interventions.