Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Family Functioning and Risky Behavior of Adolescents in China: A Three-Year Cross-Lagged Analysis

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 10:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Gender Differences in Adolescent Development: Asian Perspectives (Table 1)

Abstract

This study investigates gender differences in the longitudinal relationship between family functioning and risky behavior among Chinese adolescents. A total of 1,301 participants were assessed at three time points, one year apart.The study identifies a vicious cycle where risky behavior impairs family functioning, which in turn exacerbates risky behavior. Moreover, significant gender differences were observed. Specifically, family mutuality of family functioning and risky behaviors (maladaptive behavior habits and externalizing behavior problems) differed by gender. Multigroup comparison revealed that the associations between family functioning and risky behavior differ by gender. For girls, there was a bidirectional negative association between family functioning and risky behavior. In contrast, for boys, only risky behavior at T2 negatively predicted family functioning at T3.

Author

• Xinli Chi, Shenzhen University