The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between exceeding parental expectations and hyper
control on adolescent somatization. In order to expand the scope of understanding on the issue, the research was
expanded to include the possible mediating effects both high parental expectation and excessive control on adolescent’
depression and aggression. The subjects consisted of 2,002 middle school students, whose data were taken from the
Korean Children and Youth Panel Survey 7th wave. The major findings of the study were as follows. High parental
expectation and controlling behavior were positively correlated with adolescent somatization, depression and aggression.
Adolescent depression and aggression were also found to be significant mediators in the relationship between high
parental expectation and excessive control, and adolescent’ somatization. These findings indicate that adolescent’
depression and aggression may function as a pathway between adverse parental behavior and adolescent’ somatization.