How Family Functioning Shapes Adolescent Adjustment: The Mediating Role of Interpersonal Competence

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Adolescence is a critical developmental period for emotional and social growth.
• Family functioning is a key determinant of adolescent adjustment.
• The mediating role of interpersonal competence in the family functioning-adjustment link in China is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanisms linking family functioning (cohesion, adaptability) to adolescent adjustment in China.
• To examine the mediating role of interpersonal competence (communication, regulation, perception) in this relationship.
• To explore developmental differences in these mechanisms between junior and senior high school students.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 7318 junior and senior high school students across multiple Chinese regions.
• Assessment of family cohesion, family adaptability, interpersonal competence, and adolescent adjustment.
• Application of regression and mediation analyses to determine direct and indirect effects.

Main Results:

• Family cohesion and adaptability indirectly influenced adolescent adjustment through interpersonal competence dimensions.
• Communication and regulation were key mediators, with varying importance across developmental stages.
• Significant differences were observed in mediation pathways between junior and senior high school students.

Conclusions:

• Interpersonal competence dimensions play a crucial mediating role in the relationship between family functioning and adolescent adjustment in China.
• Findings support the applicability of the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) framework within the Chinese context.
• Results highlight the need for stage-specific interventions targeting interpersonal skills and family-school support systems for optimal adolescent adjustment.