Parenting behaviors and psychological disorders in Colombian adolescents

This study analyzed the influence of adolescents’ perception of parenting behaviors on externalizing and internalizing disorders. The controlled variables (and their possible effects) were: sex of parents and children, age, family structure, and the perception of economic problems within the family. The participants were 284 adolescents (156 female and 128 male) ranging between 11 and 19 years of age. Multiple regression analyses results showed that the punitiveness of parents was related to internalizing and externalizing disorders, while low monitoring was associated to externalizing disorders only. Withdrawal of paternal affection was related to internalizing disorders. Other predictive variables were the perception of economic problems, sex, age of children and the existence of a reconstituted family. In non-reconstituted households, the paternal monitoring was related to fewer externalizing disorders and maternal induction with fewer internalizing disorders. The importance of fostering positive parenting behaviors as well as working with families who are in a process of separation or reconstitution is discussed.