Adolescents’ behavior problems based on combination of motivational system and perceived maternal parenting: A person-centered approach by gender

In the present cross-sectional study, we examined the combination profiles derived from latent profile analysis (LPA) using BIS/BAS as well as maternal parenting behavior as indicators in accounting for behavior problems in a sample of 801 Korean adolescents (406 females, 395 males). Furthermore, we examined whether the derived latent profiles demonstrate similarities across gender and behavior problems and latent profile characteristics were compared. For both female and male adolescents, a majority of the sample was classified in the ‘Sociable and Parental Support’ profile characterized by moderate BIS/BAS combined with maternal parental support and low psychological control and they demonstrated good adjustment. Significant difference in behavior problems was not found between male adolescents in the ‘Moderately Shy and Parental Control’ profile and the ‘Unsociable and Parental Indifference’ profile despite the heterogeneity in motivational system and maternal parenting behavior. For female adolescents, a combination of high BIS/BAS and high psychological control (‘High Shy and Parental Control’) was associated with significant behavior problems. However, female adolescents in the ‘Unsociable and Parental Monitoring’ profile did not exhibit significantly more behavior problems compared to females in the ‘Sociable and Parental Support’ profile. The present study indicates that the combination profile based on the motivational system and maternal parenting behavior differ depending on adolescent gender and that latent profile characteristics associated with more behavior problems also differ depending on gender.