Abstract

This study examined the mediating role of negative family relations in the relationships of family instability and mental health (internalising and externalising) problems and whether the mediating process was moderated by adolescents’ self-control. A sample of 565 Secondary School SS II adolescents randomly selected from ten secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria completed questionnaires on family instability, self-control, negative family relations and mental health problems. After controlling for age, gender and socio-economic status as covariates, it was found that negative family relations partially mediated the relationship between family instability and adolescents’ mental health problems. Furthermore, self-control moderated the relationship between negative family relations and adolescents’ mental health problems. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of family risk factors and self-control in youth development. Also, the findings have implications for the prevention of adolescents’ mental health problems.