Extensive studies have supported that adolescence phase is associated with impulsive and risky behavior, which further predisposes them to indulge in criminal activities (Gres et al., 2023; Biswal,2020). This vulnerability is further aggravated for adolescents staying in institutionalized care, where the poor quality of child-caregiver interaction, deficit in stimulation, absence of stable primary caregiver, and child-caregiver ratio significantly increase the risk of developing emotional and behavioral problems. Yet, little is known about the role of psycho-social factors i.e. attachment, coping strategy, and emotion regulation, in contributing to emotional and behavioral problems. Thus, the aim of the current study is to examine the role of psycho-social factors (attachment, coping and emotion regulation) in contributing to emotional and behavioral problems among institutionalized adolescents. A total sample of 220 adolescents aged 12-18 years (M- 16.04, S.D - 1.39) were recruited from Indian institutionalized care. Self-reported measures of Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, Coping Strategies Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and Strength & Difficulties Questionnaire were used. Discriminant analysis was applied in order to find the role of psycho-social factors contributing to high and low emotional and behavioral problems among adolescents. The discriminant analysis revealed a significant function (Wilks' Lambda = 0.194, p < 0.01), correctly classifying 85% of cases. Further, results revealed that cognitive reappraisal, problem-focused coping strategies and mother, father, and peer attachment emerged as protective factors contributing to low emotional and behavioral problems, while emotional suppression and emotion-focused coping strategies were revealed as risky factors contributing to high emotional and behavioral problems. These findings strongly recommend focusing on the family environment in policymaking and rehabilitation programs for such vulnerable populations.

Attachment, coping, emotion regulation, institutionalized adolescent

Applied Psychology Around the World | Volume 7, Issue 2