The influence of family functioning on adolescent internalizing and externalizing behavior in rural China: The mediating role of positive youth development attributes

Family functioning plays an important role in the socio-emotional development of adolescents. However, few studies have explored the mechanisms underlying the influence of family functioning on adolescent developmental internalizing behavior (e.g., depression) and externalizing behavior (e.g., problem behavior) among adolescents in rural China. This study examined the impact of family functioning on depression and problem behavior of Chinese adolescents, with positive youth development attributes as a hypothesized mediating factor. A total of 3,699 adolescents (1,973 boys and 1,726 girls, Mage=14.67±1.11) in rural China responded to validated measures of family functioning, depression, problem behavior and positive youth development attributes. Results showed that while family functioning positively predicted positive youth development attributes, it negatively predicted adolescent depression and problem behavior. Besides, positive youth development attributes negatively predicted adolescent depression and problem behavior. Mediation analysis showed that positive youth development attributes significantly mediated the impact of family functioning on both adolescent depression and problem behavior. These findings contribute to theories on the relationships amongst family functioning, positive youth development, adolescent depression, and adolescent problem behavior, particularly with reference to the Chinese rural context. The practical implication of the finding is that through strengthening family functioning and positive youth development attributes, practitioners can promoting adolescent well-being and reducing adolescent problem behavior.