In recent years, experts have paid special attention to the reasons why teenagers are prone to breaking school and social rules. A new study conducted by Russian psychologists together with colleagues from the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education has identified the personal qualities and social factors that most often determine the behavior of high school students. More than a thousand students from Moscow schools took part in the survey, providing representative data on today’s teenagers.
As part of the work, a special questionnaire was created to assess the so-called personal resource—a combination of individual traits and the degree of satisfaction with relationships with family, friends, and teachers. The questions focused on self-esteem, self-control, responsibility, as well as perceived support from significant adults and peers. This approach made it possible to examine comprehensively how internal attitudes and external environment influence the tendency to break rules.
Personal resources and their role in adolescent behavior
The analysis revealed that teenagers with a high level of personal resources demonstrate more consistent normative behavior. They are less likely to get involved in conflicts, spend less time on electronic devices, and cope more easily with negative emotions. Parental and teacher support proved especially important — when adolescents feel accepted and valued, the risk of aggressive or deviant behavior drops significantly.
Eighth and ninth graders who prioritize family and knowledge, as well as those with strong empathy skills, break rules much less frequently. Conversely, when priorities shift toward material values, pleasure-seeking, or displays of aggression, the risk of problematic behavior increases. Similar trends are seen among older students: aggressive attitudes are closely linked to frequent violations.
The impact of self-esteem and peer relationships
The study also found that self-confidence is closely linked to kindness. Teens who believe in themselves are less likely to show hostility toward others. Additionally, being satisfied with relationships with classmates fosters positive qualities: the higher the trust and support within a group, the more likely adolescents are to display kindness and empathy. On the other hand, high levels of hostility are usually accompanied by feelings of alienation and dissatisfaction.
Relationships with parents and teachers remain key for all age groups. Support and understanding from adults help adolescents form values related to health and family, and reduce tendencies toward aggression. Therefore, a positive atmosphere at home and school is the foundation for stable and normative behavior.
Risks and strategies for prevention
The authors of the study note that about a quarter of excessive gadget use cases, a third of rule-breaking tendencies, and two-thirds of suicide risk in adolescents are associated with low personal resources, lack of support, and poor self-belief. These findings highlight the importance of timely identification of vulnerable students and working with them at both school and family levels.
Strengthening personal resources is one of the most effective ways to prevent deviant behavior. Developing self-control, responsibility, and self-confidence, as well as creating a supportive environment at school and home, helps minimize risks and fosters healthy personality development. Psychologists recommend that teachers and parents pay more attention to adolescents’ emotional well-being, encourage openness and trust, and build self-regulation skills.
Methodology and its practical importance
The methodology developed by experts not only identifies potential issues, but also enables teachers and psychologists to provide targeted support. Timely intervention and assistance can significantly reduce the likelihood of conflicts, aggression, and other forms of disruptive behavior. It is essential that efforts to develop students’ personal resources are systematic and include both individual and group interactions.
Overall, the study confirms that the key to successful adolescent socialization lies in a combination of self-confidence, advanced self-control skills, and a supportive environment. Only by providing these conditions can each student realize their potential and avoid serious problems in the future.
In case you didn’t know, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MGPPU) is one of Russia’s leading universities in psychology and pedagogy. The university is actively involved in scientific research, develops innovative methods for working with children and adolescents, and trains professionals for educational institutions across the country. MGPPU collaborates with international organizations and carries out major projects in the fields of education and psychology. Among its graduates are renowned psychologists, educators, and researchers who have made significant contributions to the advancement of Russian science.
