Abstract
Evidence demonstrated that self-mastery and coping ability predict mental health in adults and children. However, there is a lack of research analyzing the relationships between those constructs in parents and children. Self-report data from 89 dyads (adolescents’ mean of age = 14.47, SD = 0.50; parents’ mean of age = 47.24, SD = 4.54) who participated in waves 17, 18, and 19 (following T1, T2, and T3) of a nineteen-wave longitudinal study were analyzed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model’s extended Mediation. Results showed significant actor effects of parents’ and adolescents’ self-mastery (T1) on mental health (T3) and the mediator effect of their coping abilities in managing stress (T2). Both a higher parental education level and being a mother positively influenced adolescents’ coping ability. The mutually beneficial relationships between parents’ and adolescents’ self-mastery, coping ability, and mental health were not demonstrated. Self-mastery is a significant predictor of adolescents’ and parents’ mental health, and coping ability serves as a good mediator between them. Qualitative research may clarify reasons why partner effects in the model were found to be non-significant. Further research should re-test this model with a larger sample size during childhood, when parents provide significant behavioral models for their children—as well as in adolescence, considering the peer group—to develop guidelines for behavioral interventions.
Highlights
Maintaining good mental health is essential for assuring an individual’s well-being during the entire course of life
Self-efficacy, locus of control, and self-perception are incorporated in the concept of self-mastery [3], which is defined as the feeling of being able to overcome life challenges with personal effort [4]
The correlation between adolescents’ and parents’ mental health was low-moderate (r = 0.22, p < 0.05). This correlation suggests a sufficient overlap between parents’ and adolescents’ scores on mental health and allows us to consider the dyad as the unit of analysis
Summary
Maintaining good mental health is essential for assuring an individual’s well-being during the entire course of life. Individuals learn self-regulation abilities, such as self-efficacy and locus of control, during childhood through parental modeling [1]. Self-efficacy, locus of control, and self-perception are incorporated in the concept of self-mastery [3], which is defined as the feeling of being able to overcome life challenges with personal effort [4]. Longitudinal evidence demonstrated that self-mastery measured during childhood is a valid predictor of mental health during adulthood [5]. Another study found that adolescents’ self-mastery, together with positive relations with significant others, helps them become resilient and cope with life challenges [3] more effectively.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
