Family Functioning and Adolescents’ Self-regulation Competencies in Illu Abba Bor Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the relationships between patterns of family functioning and
adolescents’ self-regulations competencies in Illu Aba Bor Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. It employed
a quantitative approach with a specific design known to be correlational. Based on stratified
random sampling, questionnaires were administered to a sample of 400 high school adolescents
in four districts of the zone. Descriptive statistics, MANOVA with follow-up univariate ANOVA,
Pearson’s correlation, and linear, multiple and stepwise regression were computed using SPSS.
Mediation analyses were also performed using JASP 0.18.1.0. The finding shows statistically
significant variations in family cohesion, flexibility, communication, and interaction (p < 0.01)
across family structure. Also, cohesion, flexibility, communication, and interaction were all
significantly differ across family sizes (p<0.01). However, mixed results were observed with
respect to economic status in that it resulted in variations in some patterns of family functioning
whereas not in the case of others. The study found that family functioning patterns significantly
correlated with adolescent self-regulation, with self-regulation's relationship with family
communication being more significant than with other aspects. However, through stepwise
regression two models were developed to determine the best predictors whereby coefficients for family
communication (β=0.884, p<0.01) was significant; and coefficients for family communication (β
=0.864, p<0.01) and adaptability (β =0.068, p<0.05) were significant and best factors for self regulations. The model overall also significantly predicted self-regulation (F (4,395) =364.82, P<0.01);
hence, communication, adaptability, cohesion and interactions have substantial relations to self regulation. Moreover, the mediation analysis showed that while family structure had mediating
roles in the relationships between family functioning and self-regulation, family size and
economic status didn’t. Overall, patterns of family functioning significantly influence adolescent
self-regulation, with well-functioning families promoting it and dysfunctional ones weakening it.
Therefore, supporting families to maintain healthy functioning is crucial for promoting the
development of self-regulation, leaving big implications for family intervention practices for
adolescents' ultimate benefit.
Description
Keywords
family: cohesion, communication, flexibility: interaction, self-regulation