Internalizing and Externalizing Behavioural Problems among Higher Secondary Students in Kerala

Adolescence is the period of life between the ages of 10-19 years (WHO). This is a stage identified as a period of “storm and stress” in one’s life. Adolescence has been included as an increase in the prevalence of both internalizing as well as externalizing problem behavior is generally demonstrated (Moffitt, 1993). The purpose of the present study was to find out the extent of various behavioural problems in adolescents. The study was a cross sectional descriptive in nature. 143 adolescents (76 males and 67 females) were randomly selected from the district of Thrissur, Kerala. The age range of the sample was 15-18 years. Youth Self Report (YSR/11-18) developed by Achenbach was used to assess behavior problems of adolescents. Student t test was used for statistical analysis of the data. The obtained result indicates that male and female adolescents come under the clinical range of internalizing behavior problems (nearly 75%) and externalizing behavior problems (below 50%). The mean scores, SD, and t value of all the scales were calculated. Significant differences among male and female adolescents were observed in withdrawal/ depression (t=2.199; p<0.05), rule breaking (t=5.601; p<0.01) and externalizing behavior problems (t=3.028; p<0.01). Both male and female adolescents reported behavior problems. Both were having internalizing behavior problems, and other problem behaviours such as difficulties in social relationships, immature pattern of thinking, and attention problems. In the case of externalizing behavior problems, the tendency to break rules was seen more among males than females. Both reflected aggressive behavior and the pattern of distribution of externalizing behavior problems were found more among male adolescents than female adolescents.