Moderating Impact of Social Adjustment on the Relationship between Sensation Seeking and Behaviour Problems Among Adolescents

This research aims to investigate the relationship of sensation seeking and behaviour problems moderated by social adjustment among adolescents. Sample comprised of 280 adolescents within age range 12 to 18 years (M = 16.25, SD = 1.54) from both public and private sector educational institutions. The sample was divided into two categories i.e., high sensation seekers (n = 131) and low sensation seekers (n = 139). The sensation seeking was assessed using Sensation Seeking Scale (Zuckerman, 1994), behaviour problems using Child Problem Checklist (Tariq & Hanif, 2007), and social adjustment by using Social Adjustment Scale (Mushtaq, 2005). The results revealed positive relationship between sensation seeking and behaviour problems, while both these variables were found to be negatively related with social adjustment. Significant positive correlation was revealed between high sensation seeking and externalizing behaviour problems, while significant negative correlation was found with internalizing behaviour problems. Moderation of sensation seeking on externalizing behaviour problems and social adjustment was revealed to be significant within the total adolescent sample. In case of internalizing behaviour problems, the moderation by social adjustment was nonsignificant for total sample, but significant in low/high sensation seekers groups. This study can be of help for educationists, practitioners, social workers, parents, and adolescent’s health.