Family structure and functioning: Influences on adolescents psychological needs, goals and aspirations in a South African setting

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of family structure and functioning on basic psychological need fulfilment, life goals and aspirations of adolescents in a South African setting. Participants were 457 adolescent learners (M_age = 16.31, SD = 1.45, females = 54%, coloured = 56%) selected from four public schools in the Western Cape, South Africa. The adolescents completed the Family Assessment Device, Aspirations Index and Psychological Needs Scales. Results following multiple regression analysis suggested that a two-parent family structure predicted higher satisfaction of basic psychological needs and higher pursuit of extrinsic goals among adolescents than did a one-parent family structure. Family functioning determined pursuit of intrinsic goals by adolescents from one-parent families.

Keywords:

• goals
• aspirations
• family
• functioning
• structure
• psychological well-being
• adolescence

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the National Research Foundation (NRF).