Introduction: Adolescent externalizing problem behaviors has become a non-negligible public health issue, serving as significant indicators of potential future destructive behavior, violence, drug abuse, and criminal activity among youth. The adolescent period is particularly prone to the occurrence of these behaviors. Therefore, analyzing the multiple factors influencing externalizing problem behaviors and their interactive mechanisms is crucial for timely intervention and effective prevention of problematic behaviors in adolescents. Accordingly, this study is grounded in Self-Determination Theory and Frustration-Aggression Theory, hypothesizing that the fulfillment of basic psychological needs and the sense of defeat plays a sequential mediating role between parental psychological control and externalizing problem behaviors. Methods:Grounded in Self-Determination Theory and the Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis, this study employs class-cluster sampling method to explore select 742 adolescents from a city in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region as research subjects. It examines the link of parental psychological control (PPC) and externalizing problem behaviors (EPBs), and tests the Chain intermediary roles of basic psychological need (BPN) fulfillment and sense of defeat. Result:After controlling for demographic variables, the findings are as follows: (1) PPC directly predicts EPBs; (2) PPC indirectly predicts EPBs through BPN fulfillment; (3) PPC indirectly influences EPBs by affecting the sense of defeat; (4) The Chain intermediary roles of BPN fulfillment and sense of defeat also help in predicting EPBs from PPC, offering new perspectives for the prevention and intervention of these behaviors. Discussion:The results of this study indicate that adolescents’ externalizing problem behaviors are significantly associated with parental psychological control, fulfillment of basic psychological needs, and a sense of defeat. To reduce the level of externalizing problem behaviors among adolescents, parents should be cautious about exercising psychological control over their children. It is essential for parents to provide a space for autonomy, offer more support and encouragement, and pay close attention to whether adolescents’ basic psychological needs are being met and to their emotional well-being.