Effects of harsh maternal discipline on adolescents’ externalizing problem behaviors

Within the framework of Patterson et al.’s (1989) antisocial developmental model, this study explored the associations between harsh maternal discipline and adolescents’ externalizing problem behaviors. We investigated the independent mediating effects of inhibitory control and deviant peer affiliation as well as the chain mediating effect of these variables. Participants were 367 adolescents who completed validated scales assessing maternal discipline, inhibitory control, deviant peer affiliation, and externalizing problem behaviors. The results showed that harsh maternal discipline affected adolescents’ externalizing problem behaviors through the chain intermediary effect of inhibitory control and deviant peer affiliation. These findings facilitate understanding of the pathway of harsh maternal discipline on adolescents’ externalizing problem behaviors. It is important to avoid harsh maternal discipline, establish harmonious parent–child relationships, avoid deviant peer affiliations, and achieve healthy physical and mental development of adolescents.