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Adolescent running away behavior: active or passive avoidance?
A De Man1, D Dolan, R Pelletier
1Department of Psychology, Bishop's University, Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada.
The Journal of Genetic Psychology
|March 1, 1994
Summary
Adolescent running away behavior differs by gender. Boys’ running away is linked to passive avoidance and internalization, while girls exhibit a mixed pattern of withdrawal and deviancy.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Behavior
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Running away is a significant adolescent behavior with potential links to internalizing and externalizing tendencies.
- Understanding gender differences in the expression of running away behavior is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender-specific patterns in adolescent running away behavior.
- To determine if running away is primarily an expression of passive (internalization) or active (externalization) avoidance in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Principal component analyses were employed to analyze the data.
- Data were collected from 117 boys and 149 girls.
Main Results:
- Boys' running away behavior was associated with passive avoidance and internalization.
- Girls' running away behavior reflected a mixed pattern, involving both withdrawal and overt deviancy.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent running away behavior manifests differently between boys and girls.
- The findings suggest distinct psychological underpinnings for running away in adolescent males and females, necessitating gender-informed approaches.