Adolescence is a period of rapid physical and socioemotional changes defined by the term 'storm and stress' (Hall, 1904). Korean adolescents scored one of the lowest levels of 'life satisfaction' (bottom third in OECD countries) as measured by the 'Better Life' index from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (OECD, 2017). High rates of adolescent suicide and emotional problems in South Korea are due to high academic burdens and excessive competition from university entrance examinations (Digital News Team, 2014, Nov 13). Adolescents' psychological maladaptive behaviors manifest problematic behaviors that include externalizing problems such as misdemeanors or aggression, caused by under-controlled behavior, and internalizing problems such as depression, anxiety and
Objectives: Guided by the family systems theory (Bowen, 1966) and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM; Cook & Kenny, 2005), this study examined the actor-partner effects of mother-adolescent communication on the psychological well-being of mothers and their adolescent children via mother-adolescent conflict and the differences between female and male adolescents.Methods: A total of 249 dyads of mothers and their adolescent children (age 13-16) in South Korea completed questionnaires on mother-adolescent communication, mother-adolescent conflict, and psychological well-being, respectively. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, path model analysis, and multiple group analysis.Results: First, the findings showed both partial actor and partner effects of perceived mother-adolescent communication on psychological well-being through a perceived level of conflict in both male and female adolescents and mother pairs. In addition, we examined sex differences for the aforementioned indirect pathways. There were sex differences in the indirect actor effects, in that mothers’ and adolescents’ own perceived communication had differential effects on psychological well-being indirectly through perceived conflict. The indirect partner effects also differed between male and female adolescents. The results of this study are meaningful because they emphasize the bidirectionality of the relationships among these variables.Conclusion: The findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the dyadic process in which mother-adolescent communication, conflict, and psychological well-being perceived by mothers and adolescents affect themselves as well as each other. This study is meaningful because the results emphasize the relationships between these variables. In utilizing a family systems approach, this study’s findings can aid in developing parent education programs, counseling interventions, and family policies that improve individuals’ psychological well-being.
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