Developmental Concerns in Adolescents: Behavior Autonomy and Psychological Stress

Abstract

The current study was undertaken to empirically examine the impact of behavior autonomy on psychological stress in adolescents. Based on the existing evidences it was hypothesized that behavior autonomy would predict psychological stress in adolescents. The sample of the study comprised of 600 adolescents recruited from different schools and colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan through convenient sampling technique. The participants ranged in age between 12 to 18 years with mean age of 15.14 (±SD=1.98). The Urdu translated versions of Behavior Autonomy Scale (Peterson, 1986) and Stress Scale (a subscale of Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale by Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) were used. In addition, a short demographic sheet that comprised of participants’ personal information regarding their institutional affiliation and age was also used. The Linear Regression analysis was employed for statistical analysis of data. The results revealed behavior autonomy a significant predictor of psychological stress in adolescents. Implications of the findings and avenues for future studies are suggested.