Title page for ETD etd-11132007-105030

Type of Document

Master's Thesis

Author

Marrero, Matthew Donald

Author's Email Address

mmarre2@lsu.edu

URN

etd-11132007-105030

Title

Early Adolescent Decision Making and Behavioral Adjustment: Are Associations Moderated by Relationship Quality?

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

Department

Human Ecology

Advisory Committee

Advisor Name	Title
Loren Marks	Committee Chair
Robert Laird	Committee Co-Chair
Cynthia DiCarlo	Committee Member

Keywords

early adolescent
decision making
behavioral adjustment

Date of Defense

2007-11-02

Availability

unrestricted

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between early adolescent decision making and behavioral adjustment with special interest in the interaction between parent-child relationship quality and decision making on behavioral adjustment. Associations were examined using data provided by 218 early adolescents. Girls comprised half the sample and the mean age was just over 11 years old. Main effects were consistent with previous research. Early adolescent decision making was associated with greater behavior problems and depressed mood. Parent-child relationship quality was defined as conflict and acceptance. Greater conflict was associated with poor behavioral adjustment while greater acceptance was associated with more positive behavioral adjustment. Multiple regression analysis was used to test possible interactions between early adolescent decision making and conflict and acceptance on each behavioral adjustment variable (behavior problems, depressed mood, and school performance). Consistent with previous research, neither conflict nor acceptance moderated the associations between early adolescent decision making and behavioral adjustment.

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