Life stories of adolescent girls in an autobiographical film format: A projection of the psychological needs underlying externalizing behaviors

Year:
Reference

Rioux MA, Lanctôt N, Terradas M, Pascuzzo K. (2026). Life stories of adolescent girls in an autobiographical film format: A projection of the psychological needs underlying externalizing behaviors. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma.

Abstract

Based on the relational theory of human motivation (Nuttin, 2000) which conceives that all behavior is aimed at meeting a need that emanates from the interaction between the individual and their environment, the present study focuses on the psychological needs that underlie the externalizing behaviors (EBs; i.e., motives, direction of action) adolescent girls (AGs) receiving child welfare services who have been residing in a rehabilitation setting. The analysis focuses specifically on the ways in which AGs relate to objects (i.e., a person, situation, action, or event) in the specific context of EB episodes, with the goal of inferring the psychological needs sought through their adoption. After presenting existing knowledge on the subject as well as the positioning of the main concepts and theoretical models, an interpretative analysis method is proposed. The article concludes with practical and research suggestions based on the results.

DOI