Experiences of post‐divorce parentification and parental affection: Implications for emerging adults' well‐being

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe present study examined how emerging adults' perceived parentification and parental affection toward themselves and their sibling after parental divorce are associated with mental health so that researchers and practitioners can better understand the influence of sibling dynamics in this process.BackgroundAlthough parentification may be prevalent within the context of parental divorce, little is known about how perceived sibling parentification and parental affection (i.e., individual and sibling) are related to individuals' reports of mental health for those who have experienced parental divorce.MethodThe sample consisted of 106 emerging adults with a living biological sibling and parents who divorced. Hierarchical regressions were used to investigate associations among levels (i.e., individual and sibling) and differences (i.e., individual versus sibling) in self‐perceived post‐divorce parentification and parental affection and outcomes (i.e., current symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress).ResultsHigher reports of self‐perceived parentification were significantly related to higher reports of participants' depressive and stress symptomology. Greater self‐perceived parental affection for siblings had a significant positive relationship with the aforementioned outcomes.ImplicationsImportant implications on the potentially long‐lasting effects of perceived parental treatment are included for divorce education facilitators and family therapists working with divorcing parents.