Abstract

An empirical crosscultural approach to the adolescent problem was made in the Mokpo area where urban, rural, and island culture re coexist. Questionnaires containing eight psychological variables - stress, coping style, perception of parenting style, future orientation, value orientation, social skill, attribution style, and self image - were administered to 832 junior and senior high school students. Comparison groups were formed according to gender and age. To reflect the regional specificity in the Mokpo area, five further 'subcultural' groups were compared: students in the urban area, students in rural areas, students from islands, students from fisher families, and adolescents on probation. Age difference was found in seven variables, and Gender and 'subcultural' difference in all eight variables. The results were discussed in terms of cultural relevance of adolescent problems. Finally, several types of intervention programs for each subcultural group were suggested.