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Chen X. Exploring cultural meanings of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in children and adolescents: A contextual-developmental perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0165025419877976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In this article, I discuss major theoretical and methodological issues in the study of cultural meanings of children’s behaviors. Research in this area is conducted mainly through assessing individual beliefs using hypothetical vignettes or other self-report methods. I argue that it is important to investigate functional meanings of children’s behaviors from a contextual-developmental perspective, which emphasizes the role of social and developmental processes in mediating links between culture and behaviors. Information about the relevance of behaviors to social interactions and relationships and to the development of adjustment outcomes in different cultures helps us understand the nature of the behaviors beyond individual views. Such understanding is crucial for interpreting cross-cultural differences and similarities in the display of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors.
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