Emotional and Behavioural Problems:Role of Personal Factors among Adolescents

Emotional and behavioural Problems are increasing all over the world at a rapid rate (Polaha, 2011). Juvenile crime is one of the major components of Emotional and behavioural problems. Earlier, adolescents were limited to infraction and were not often engaged in violation of law but nowadays they are committing heinous crime. The current study was interested in examining the role of personal factors in contributing emotional and behavioural problems among adolescents. The sample collected from 220 adolescents (13-18 years) from various schools of Delhi. Self-reported versions of Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (Armsden & Greenberg, 1987); Emotional Regulation Questionnaire (Gross & John, 2003); Coping Strategies Scale (Srivastava, 2001); Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 1997) were used as data collection tool. Discriminant analysis was applied in order to find the personal factors contributing in high and low emotional and behavioural problems among adolescents. Variable of emotional regulation, coping strategy, attachment emerged as strongest predictors contributing to low emotional and behavioural problems in adolescents. In addition, factors predicting in high on emotional and behavioural problems is cognitive avoidance coping strategy i.e. emotion focused coping strategy and emotional suppression. The results are further discussed in the light of theoretical evidences and studies.