Predicting Behavioral Disorders Based on Components of Psychological Flexibility in Lower Secondary School Students in Bonab City
Keywords:
Behavioral disorders, psychological flexibility, adolescents, internalizing behaviors, externalizing behaviorsAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the predictive role of psychological flexibility components in behavioral disorders among lower secondary school students in Bonab. Methods and Materials: This applied, descriptive-correlational study was conducted on a population of lower secondary students in Bonab during the 2023–2024 academic year. A total of 361 students were selected using multistage cluster random sampling. Data collection tools included the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire by Wander et al. (2010). Data were analyzed using SPSS-24 software through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Findings: Pearson correlation results revealed a significant negative relationship between psychological flexibility and behavioral disorders (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that the subscales of Alternatives, Control, and Multiple Interpretations significantly predicted 50.5% of the variance in behavioral disorders (R² = 0.505). Among these, the "Multiple Interpretations of Human Behavior" subscale emerged as the strongest negative predictor (β = -0.62, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Psychological flexibility and its components significantly predict behavioral disorders in adolescents and can serve as targets for educational and psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at reducing behavioral problems.
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