Problem Behaviors and Adolescent Temperament: A Cross Sectional Study

Most of adolescents are more likely to have both internalized and externalized behavioral issues. These behavioral problems are linked to temperament because studies show that particular temperamental traits are related to the chance of developing subsequent behavior problems. So this study focused on at what extent temperament is related to adolescent behavior problems. The purpose of the current study is to examine the association between temperament and behavioral issues in adolescents. The study was cross-sectional in nature. 67 people were chosen at random from the Thrissur district. Both male and female adolescents at higher secondary levels were included. The age range of the participants was 15-18. Problem Behavior Rating Scale (Radhika, Immanuel Thomas, & Nice Mary, 2005) and Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire- Revised (Milu Maria Anto & Jayan, 2014) was used to collect the data. Mean, Standard deviation, t test, and correlation were used to employ the interpretation of the data. Significant negative correlation was observed in the temperamental factor Effortful Control (EC) and Behavior Problems (r= -0.277*; p<0.05), where as significant positive correlation was observed in the temperamental factor Surgency (SU) and behavior problems (r=0.282; p<0.05). The study concluded that temperamental characteristics are associated with behavior problems. The study also provided useful information to the parents and teachers regarding the temperamental variations in problem behavior of the adolescents, which can be helped them to make considerations, assessments, and interventions planning.