Interconnected Accumulation of Life Stresses and Adolescent Maladjustment

Adolescence is a time where individuals face a myriad of physical, cognitive, psychological, and social changes, presenting a time of stress and ambiguity. Experiencing stressful life events during this time introduces yet another challenge for the adolescent to address.

The present study tested a reciprocal causation hypothesis. From this perspective, life stressors were hypothesized to increase adolescent emotional distress and delinquent behaviors, and these dimensions of maladjustment would lead to increasing life stress.

Data were collected from 451 intact Caucasian families over a period of 6 years, starting when the adolescents were in seventh grade and ending when they were in twelfth grade. Results were consistent with the reciprocal causation hypothesis.