Longitudinal Associations Between Mother–Child and Father–Child Closeness and Conflict From Middle Childhood to Adolescence

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present study aimed at examining the longitudinal associations between closeness and conflict in mother–child and father–child relationships from middle childhood to adolescence.MethodUsing six‐wave longitudinal data of mother–child and father–child relationships from Grades 1 to 9 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development study (N = 1,105 families; 79% European White, 21% ethnic minorities), the present study used multivariate longitudinal modeling to address the research goal.ResultsFor mother–child relationships, higher levels of conflict at Grade 1 were significantly associated with slower increases in conflict and greater declines in closeness over time, while controlling for the effects of demographic variables. Moreover, findings suggest coordination of change across mothers and fathers, such that sharper decreases in closeness (or increases in conflict) between mothers and children were associated with sharper decreases in closeness (or increases in conflict) between fathers and children.ConclusionThe present study contributes to the literature by elucidating the complexities of the dynamic changes in parent–child relationships and highlighting the importance of including both mothers and fathers in the same model.ImplicationsOur findings have important implications for family practitioners and education and intervention programs aimed at supporting families in coping with the challenges in tuning parent–child relationships during adolescence.