A Study on the Relationships among Psychological Control, Adolescent Depression and Antisocial Behavior in Taiwan

We extended prior research by examining the effects of parental psychological control and adolescent depression on antisocial behavior, as well as the possible mediation effect of adolescent depression in those processes. To do so, we examined 377 senior high school students (mean age=15.30 years) from four major cities in Taiwan. Adolescent reported on perceived parental psychological control and depression on antisocial behavior. The results of hierarchical regression analyses are concluded as follows. (1) Gender and parents education level can significant predict antisocial behavior. (2) Maternal psychological control can significant predict antisocial behavior. (3) Adolescent depression directly influenced the antisocial behavior and the mediation effect of adolescent depression between psychological control and antisocial behavior was statistically significant. These results suggested that adolescent depression plays a more significant role vis-a-vis adolescent depression than the parental psychological control on Taiwan adolescent antisocial behavior. These results were discussed in terms of their implications for research and practice.