The reciprocal relationship between parent–child connectedness and adolescent emotional functioning over 5 years

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reciprocal relationship between parent–child connectedness and depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and body satisfaction over 5 years in a diverse sample of 2516 male and female adolescents. Methods Youth completed Project Eating Among Teens surveys at Time 1 (1998–1999) and Time 2 (2003–2004). Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to evaluate relationships between parent–child connectedness and adolescents' emotional functioning, controlling for baseline parent–child connectedness. The reciprocal relationship was also evaluated using the same methods. Results Parent–child connectedness was associated with increased body satisfaction for females, increased self-esteem for males, and decreased depressive symptoms for both males and females. The reciprocal relationship results showed that, among females, self-esteem was associated with increased parent–child connectedness while depressive symptoms predicted decreased parent–child connectedness. In males, body satisfaction was associated with increased parent–child connectedness. Conclusions Parent–child connectedness and youth emotional functioning reciprocally influenced each other over the 5-year period of this study. Interventions aimed at strengthening the parent–child relationship throughout adolescence may protect emotional health and prevent longer-term emotional consequences in young adults.