Parents' Power Assertive Discipline and Internalizing Problems in Adolescents: The Role of Attachment

Abstract

SYNOPSIS Objective. To increase understanding of the link between power assertive discipline and internalizing problems in adolescence, the present study investigated the role of attachment. Design. For this purpose, 514 families (mothers, fathers, and adolescents ranging in age from 10 to 18 years) completed questionnaires measuring power assertive discipline, attachment, and internalizing problems. Power assertive discipline was measured with multiple informants. The mediating and moderating role of attachment was investigated with bootstrapping analyses. Results. Complete mediation was found in the entire group and independent of parents' gender. Analyses for separate age groups confirmed the mediating role of attachment. Power assertive discipline tended to be linked with higher internalizing problems only when early adolescents reported high levels of attachment security. Conclusion. Power assertive discipline is associated with internalizing problems and less secure attachment, and attachment explained the association between power assertive discipline and internalizing problems.