Socio-Demographic Factors in Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among At-Risk Rural Adolescents

The present study is aimed at examining the association between the internalizing and externalizing problems on the one hand and socio-demographic variables on the other using a sample of 490 (M=267, F=223) at-risk rural adolescents aged between 11-14 years. The sample was recruited from four rural government schools located in a mid-sized city in South India. The data were collected using the Youth Self Report that provided measures of internalizing and externalizing problems of the adolescents. The socio-demographic details chosen for the study were collected using personal data sheet. ANOVA and correlation analysis were carried out to analyze the data. The findings show that males had higher level of externalizing problems compared to females. Students in class eight had higher internalizing problems compared to those in class seven. Significant differences between the schools included in the study with regard to both internalizing and externalizing problems were found. Those with fathers who were illiterates had greater internalizing problems compared to those whose fathers had middle school level education. Mothers' monthly income was significantly positively correlated with internalizing problems. Family's monthly income was significantly positively correlated with both internalizing and externalizing problems. Academic achievement was significantly positively correlated with externalizing problems in the sample. Factors like age, native place and mother tongue, area of residence, community, religion, father's occupation and income, mother's education, and occupation, and rented/own house were not significantly related to internalizing and externalizing problems. The findings are discussed with implications for future research, practice, and policymaking.