Maternal Relationship Quality Research Articles

Rearrest is associated with heightened callous–unemotional traits: No moderating effect of maternal relationship quality.

Rearrest is associated with heightened callous–unemotional traits: No moderating effect of maternal relationship quality.

The role of parent-adolescent relationship quality and callous-unemotional traits on sexual prejudice in adolescence

Sexual prejudice negatively impacts our society and commonly manifests itself in hostile attitudes and aggressive behavior toward people who identify with the LGBTQIA+ community. Adolescents in particular are vulnerable to such negative world views. The present study investigated the impact of the parent-adolescent relationship quality, the potentially associated manifestation of psychopathic personality traits—so-called callous-unemotional (CU) traits—and their relation to sexual prejudice in adolescence. We observed that poor maternal relationship quality in terms of poor communication, lack of trust, and alienation is associated with selfish, cold-hearted personality traits. Moreover, we observed an indirect effect of CU-traits mediating the link between maternal relationship quality and antigay hostile attitudes and behavior. Our findings emphasize the crucial role of attachment in the development of a child's affective personality.

Supplemental Material for Rearrest is Associated With Heightened Callous–Unemotional Traits: No Moderating Effect of Maternal Relationship Quality

Supplemental Material for Rearrest is Associated With Heightened Callous–Unemotional Traits: No Moderating Effect of Maternal Relationship Quality

CHILDHOOD FAMILY ENVIRONMENT, GENETIC RISK FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, AND LATE-LIFE COGNITIVE DECLINE

Abstract How genetic risks for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) interact with environmental factors to shape individuals’ cognitive trajectories across the lifespan is a burgeoning area of research. However, relatively little is known about the role childhood family environment plays in the relationship between genetic risk factors for AD and cognitive decline in later life. This study examined whether and how early-life family environments may modify cognitive decline associated with genetic AD risks. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; 1998-2018), we followed over 9,000 individuals aged 51 and older during the observation period spanning nearly two decades. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the full cognitive battery from the HRS. Childhood family environment was evaluated separately with the relationship quality with one’s mother and the number of household adults before the age of 16. We estimated a series of multilevel models to assess the association between polygenic risk score for AD (PGS-AD) and changes in cognitive functioning, and whether the association was moderated by the two measures of childhood social capital. Findings indicated that childhood maternal relationship quality, but not the number of household adults, protected against cognitive decline accelerated by PGS-AD. That is, the associations between higher PGS-AD and accelerated cognitive decline were attenuated for individuals who reported a better childhood maternal relationship. Findings are in line with the biopsychosocial model of health and suggest that a better quality of maternal relationships in childhood may have a protective effect on cognitive functioning across the lifespan.

Change in maternal relationship quality and maternal and child distress

BackgroundMaternal relationship quality is associated with mental health; maternal mental health could affect child mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected both relationship quality and mental health. PurposeTo examine if maternal distress mediates the association between pandemic-related changes in maternal relationship quality and child distress. MethodsA sample of 194 mother-child dyads were from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) cohort participated. Mothers reported pandemic-related changes in relationship quality (partner, child, friends/family) and mental health (anxiety, depressive symptoms). Children (7-10 yrs) self-reported mental health (anxiety, depressive symptoms). Covariates were maternal sociodemograhics, child age and gender, number of children in the home, time between pandemic start and assessments, and pandemic change in household income. Mediation was tested using the SPSS PROCESS macro. ResultsAn indirect effect of maternal relationship quality on child anxiety via maternal depressive symptoms was detected, .95CI upper boundary <-.025. Decreases in partner relationship quality, b = -.45, SE = .23, p = .001, and relationship quality with friends or family outside the household, b = -.46, SE = .27, p = .001, were associated with higher maternal anxiety, which in turn, predicted higher child depressive symptoms, p’s<.014. ConclusionsPandemic-related decreases in maternal relationship quality were associated with maternal distress, which in turn was associated with child distress. LimitationsWe focused on mothers only and obtained retrospective recall reports on changes in relationship quality during the pandemic.

Chronic illness and psychopathology in emerging adults: Moderation by parent-child relationship quality.

The current study aimed to better understand how parent-child relationships might moderate the effects of the presence and severity (as measured by physical quality of life) of a chronic illness on psychological problems in emerging adulthood. The participants included 538 emerging adults (53.5% women) with a mean age of 19.04. The participants completed an online study including chronic illness questions, the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief, the Parental Environment Questionnaire, and the Adult Self-Report scale. Endorsing a health condition significantly associated with psychological problems in emerging adult men. The three-way interaction between endorsing a health condition, physical quality of life, and maternal parent-child relationship quality significantly predicted psychological problems in emerging adult men and women. Specifically, higher maternal relationship quality was associated with a weaker relation between psychological problems and having a health condition with a low physical quality of life. The emerging adults who reported the most psychological problems also reported having a health condition, low physical quality of life, and low maternal relationship quality, highlighting that the combination of these variables predicted the highest rate of psychological problems. A low maternal relationship quality contributes to poor psychological adjustment while a high maternal relationship quality contributes to good psychological adjustment.

Association of parent-child relationship quality and problematic mobile phone use with non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury behavior (NSSI) is a common mental health threat among adolescents. Poor parent-child relationship (PCR) and problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) are risk factors for NSSI. We aimed to explore the impact of PCR quality, PMPU, and their interaction effects on NSSI among adolescents in China, as well as the sex difference.MethodA survey was conducted among school students in 4 provinces in China between 2017 and 2018. The study included 14,500 valid participants. The students’ general demographic characteristics was collected, and further data on PCR quality, PMPU, and NSSI were obtained through self-rated questionnaire. Chi-square test, binomial logistic regression models, and the Andersson Excel were used for data analysis.ResultsThe 12-month prevalence of NSSI was 27.3%. Lower PCR quality and PMPU were significantly associated with NSSI, respectively. The low PCR + yes PMPU group had the greatest association with NSSI, followed by the high PCR + yes PMPU group, low PCR + no PMPU group. Moreover, in low father-child relationship + yes PMPU group, females had a higher risk of NSSI than males; in high mother-child relationship + yes PMPU group, females had a higher risk of NSSI than males. Additive interaction analysis indicated that mother-child relationship quality and PMPU were associated with increased risks of NSSI, in the subgroup of males.ConclusionsThe findings underline the importance of simultaneously studying the quality of PCR and PMPU for a comprehensive understanding of NSSI behavior, and especially highlights the significance of maternal relationship quality.

How prenatal cortisol levels relate to grandmother-mother relationships among a cohort of Latina women.

As part of the human reproductive strategy, mothers receive childcare assistance from others. For kin, allomothers are adaptively incentivized to provide assistance due to inclusive fitness benefits. Previous studies across a broad range of populations identify grandmothers as particularly consistent allomothers. Minimal attention has been paid to the possibility that allomothers may begin investing in offspring quality during the prenatal stage of life. Here, we innovate within the area of grandmother allocare research by examining the prenatal stage of life and biopsychosocial mechanisms by which prenatal grandmother effects may be enacted. Data derive from the Mothers' Cultural Experiences study, a cohort of 107 pregnant Latina women in Southern California. At <16 weeks' gestation, we administered questionnaires, collected morning urine samples, and measured cortisol by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, correcting for specific gravity. We measured the soon-to-be maternal and paternal grandmothers' relationship quality, social support, frequency of seeing each other, communicating, and geographic proximity to pregnant mothers, that is, their daughters and daughters-in-law. These measures were self-reported by the pregnant mothers. We assessed how grandmother constructs related to the pregnant women's depression, stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels. We observed benefits conferred by maternal grandmothers for mothers' prenatal mental health and lower cortisol levels. Paternal grandmothers also conferred mental health benefits to pregnant daughters-in-law, but higher cortisol levels. Our results suggest that grandmothers, especially maternal grandmothers, are able to improve their inclusive fitness by caring for pregnant daughters, and allomother support may positively impact prenatal health. This work extends the traditional cooperative breeding model by identifying a prenatal grandmother effect, and, by examining a maternal biomarker.

Emerging Adult Risky Sexual Behavior: The Influence of Perceived Parental Religiosity and Perceived Parent-Child Relationship Quality in the USA.

In the southern USA, where religiosity is higher than in other parts of the country, many researchers have questioned if the religiosity of parents plays a role in emerging adults' risky sexual behavior (RSB). Specifically, research suggests that certain aspects of religiosity (i.e., conservatism) are especially detrimental when examining RSB. In the current study, college students (N = 585, 65.5% women, 69.2% White, 25.0% Black) completed the following self-report measures: the Stearns-McKinney Assessment of Religious Traits - Short Form, the Parental Environment Questionnaire, and the Student Sexual Risks Scale. Results of path analysis (reported statistics have p < .05) indicated that perceived maternal relationship quality had a significant negative association with RSB in emerging adult women, β = -.27, and men, β = -.20; perceived paternal relationship quality also associated negatively with RSB in women, β = -.12, and men, β = -.20. Of all the parental religiosity variables, only perceived maternal conservatism had a significant effect, where it demonstrated a positive association with RSB in women, β = .34, and men, β = -.20. These results suggest that perceived parent-child relationship quality and perceived maternal conservative religiosity influence emerging adult RSB. This study presents novel insight into the specific aspects of perceived parental religiosity that, at least in the current study, are found to influence RSB.

Maternal, Paternal, and Peer Relationships Differentially Predict Adolescent Behavioral Problems.

The current study investigated how maternal, paternal, and peer social relationships predict adolescent behavioral problems using secondary data analyses of the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). We aimed to examine differences between maternal and paternal relationships in predicting adolescent behavioral problems, and we hypothesized that parental relationships would more strongly predict adolescent behavioral problems than peer relationship in mid-adolescence. Participants were 929 adolescents at their 14-year-old visit. Hierarchical multiple regressions and multiple regression models revealed the following: Maternal relationship quality predicted fewer adolescent externalizing and total behavioral problems; paternal relationship quality predicted fewer internalizing problems; and peer popularity predicted fewer externalizing and total behavioral problems. In conclusion, mother-adolescent relationship may be more important for externalizing behavioral problems and father-adolescent relationship may be more important for internalizing behavioral problems. In middle adolescence, parental relationships are still more important than peer relationship in predicting adolescent behavioral problems. Study limitations and implications for research, policy, and practice were discussed.

Familial and Individual Risk Markers for Physical and Psychological Dating Violence Perpetration and Victimization Among College Students

Dating violence (DV) is a prominent problem among college students that can result in harmful physical and mental health outcomes. Though much research has focused on physical DV, fewer studies have examined psychological DV. As such, the current paper compared early/familial risk markers (e.g., child physical abuse, witnessing parental violence, and maternal relationship quality) and individual risk markers (e.g., alcohol use, marijuana and prescription drug use) for physical and psychological DV among college students. Data were gathered at two large public universities using pencil and paper surveys (N = 1,482). Bivariate results revealed more risk markers for men (e.g., more child physical abuse, more frequent drinking, more close friends who drink and more marijuana and prescription drug use) compared to women. Multivariate results showed that familial risk markers were generally most important for explaining physical DV victimization and perpetration whereas individual risk markers were more salient for explaining psychological DV victimization and perpetration. Findings highlight the contribution of both early/familial and individual risk markers for understanding psychological and physical DV victimization and perpetration among college students.

Borderline Personality and Dating Violence among College Students: A Path Analysis

ABSTRACT Borderline personality (BP) is an understudied risk factor for dating violence. Based on indications that BP may be an important predictor in non-clinical samples, this study explored theoretically derived pathways in the etiology of college student dating violence (CDV) through BP. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 783 college students from a large Midwestern American university. Participants completed a paper-and-pencil survey that included measures of CDV, childhood maltreatment, maternal relationship quality, attachment insecurity and BP. A fully recursive path model was estimated using the maximum likelihood estimator in Mplus 7.4 to simultaneously examine the pathways to CDV perpetration and victimization. One quarter of the sampled college students reported perpetrating and/or experiencing dating violence in the year prior to the study, with a large proportion of these participants (85%) indicating that they were both perpetrators and victims. BP was positively associated with both CDV perpetration (β = .17; p ≤ .01) and victimization (β = .20; p ≤ .01). Results showed that a lower quality of relationship with one’s mother while growing up was strongly associated with the risk of CDV through developmental pathways involving attachment insecurity and BP. While these findings would not be surprising in a clinical sample of batterers, they are particularly interesting in the context of a non-clinical, generally well-adjusted sample of college students that typically involve less severe forms of situational couple violence. Future research on the etiology of situational couple violence, including CDV, should consider the role of BP and its antecedents.

Change in Maladaptive Behavior Affects Intergenerational Relationships in Fragile X Syndrome.

This study investigated the bidirectional effects of change in maladaptive behaviors among adolescents and adults with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and change in their intergenerational family relationships over a 7.5-year period. Indicators of the intergenerational family relationship between premutation carrier mothers and their adolescent or adult son/daughter with FXS included a measure of the quality of the relationship, as well as descriptions provided by mothers of their relationship with their son/daughter (positive remarks, critical remarks). Maladaptive behaviors decreased, maternal positive remarks increased, and maternal critical remarks and relationship quality remained stable over time. Bidirectional effects of change were observed in predicting maladaptive behaviors and maternal positive remarks, although maladaptive behaviors more strongly predicted positive remarks than the reciprocal association. This research suggests prioritizing maladaptive behaviors in the context of family interventions.

Ethnic identity commitment and socioemotional well-being among Latinx-origin college students: The influence of maternal and peer relationships

Purpose: Considerable research has noted the association between ethnic identity commitment, which refers to a positive affirmation, sense of belonging and heightened level of engagement to one’s ethnic group, and indices of well-being, but less is known in terms of factors that can explain this link. Research Design: The current study explored the relationship between ethnic identity commitment and indices of well-being, the mediating role of social relationships, and the moderating roles of gender and immigrant generation status. Study Sample: A sample of 707 Latinx college students (79% female, 21% male, M age = 19.08 years, SD age = 1.17, Range: 17.00–25.00) reported on ethnic identity commitment, maternal and peer relationship quality, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Results: Results suggested that ethnic identity commitment was positively associated with socioemotional well-being. Although both types of relationships were significant mediators on their own, maternal relationship quality had a greater influence. Furthermore, gender and immigrant generation status were not significant moderators of these indirect effects. Conclusions: Findings indicate that committing to one’s ethnic identity enhances socioemotional well-being. They also demonstrate the complex interplay of social relationships and the enduring influence of maternal relationships during early adulthood. Results support the development of efforts geared toward facilitating ethnic identity commitment as well as leveraging the impact of social relationships in a manner that supports Latinx individuals.

Emerging Adult Antisocial Problems and Psychological and Physical Maltreatment: Moderation by Other Parent-Child Relationship Quality.

Current research supports that both psychological/physical maltreatment by parents and parent-child relationship quality strongly correlate with children's psychopathology. Less research has examined the interaction effects among these variables, especially in emerging adults. The current study analyzed the association between psychological/physical maltreatment experienced from one parent and antisocial behaviors displayed by emerging adults, as well as the moderating effect of the other parent's parent-child relationship quality. This sample included 1,364 emerging adults (953 females, 411 males) who reported on past year psychological and physical maltreatment and parent-child relationship quality. Results indicated that, when considered together, parent-child relationship quality was a stronger predictor of emerging antisocial problems than maltreatment, with the exception of the father-son dyad. Additionally, overall findings suggested that having a high-quality relationship with one caregiver was associated with lower antisocial problems in the context of high maltreatment from the other caregiver. Nevertheless, there were deviations from this norm. Unexpectedly, the lowest antisocial problems in females were associated with higher levels of paternal physical maltreatment combined with higher levels of maternal parent-child relationship quality. Moreover, the combination of low paternal psychological maltreatment and low maternal relationship quality was associated with particularly high antisocial problems in males. It is important to note the findings in the context of this sample of college students, who could be considered an advantaged group relative to some others. Since our sample might not represent our entire population of interest, which is emerging adults, it is important for future studies to examine these relationships across more diverse emerging adults. Practical implications are discussed.

Young Adult Children of Mothers Coping with Mood Disorders: Maternal Relationship Quality, Family Stigma, and Psychological Well-Being

Young Adult Children of Mothers Coping with Mood Disorders: Maternal Relationship Quality, Family Stigma, and Psychological Well-Being

Parent-Child Relationship Quality, Childhood Maltreatment, and Psychological Symptoms in Chinese Adolescent.

This study aimed to examine the association between childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationship quality with psychological symptoms and to explore the moderating role of parent-child relationship quality in the association between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms among adolescents. It also probed to the role of gender differences in this effect. A representative sample of 14,500 middle school students in China were asked to complete a standard questionnaire on the details of childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationship quality, and psychological symptoms. All data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0. The PROCESS program was used to analyze whether parent-child relationship quality moderated the link between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms. The analyses revealed significant correlations between childhood maltreatment, parent-child relationship quality, and psychological symptoms (p < .001). Specifically, paternal relationship quality moderated the association between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms in the total sample (B = -0.01, p < .05) and the subgroup of girls (B = -0.01, p < .05), while maternal relationship quality moderated only the association between childhood maltreatment and psychological symptoms in the subgroup of boys (B = -0.01, p < .05). As the findings indicate, priority should be given to the quality of parent-child relationship and gender-specific methods employed to effectively reduce the psychological symptoms of adolescents with a history of childhood maltreatment.

Risk and protective factors for mental health outcomes among sexual minority and heterosexual college women and men

Objective: Understand the relationship between risk factors (eg, different sexual assault types – coercive, physical, incapacitation by alcohol/drugs) and protective factors (eg, strong maternal ties) with depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among college students. Participants: Six hundred twenty-five undergraduate students. Methods: Students completed paper and pencil surveys in fall 2019 at a large public university. Results: Risk factors of child physical and sexual abuse, all three sexual assault types, and combined sexual assault were associated with greater PTSD symptoms while maternal relationship quality and religious influence served as protective factors. Risk factors of child physical and sexual abuse, coercive sexual assault, and combined sexual assault were associated with depressive symptoms while maternal relationship quality served as a protective factor. Males who identified as sexual minority (SM) had more PTSD symptoms compared to females who identified as SM. Conclusions: Findings have implications for targeted interventions to improve mental health outcomes.

Risk Factors for Sexual Assault of Heterosexual and Sexual Minority College Women.

Though college women report high rates of sexual assault, less is known about how protective and risk factors are uniquely associated with assault among heterosexual and sexual minority women. As such, the current study examined protective factors (i.e., maternal relationship quality and religiosity) and risk factors (i.e., child sexual abuse, parent substance misuse, and risky behaviors) for coercive sexual assault and total sexual assault and whether they vary by sexual orientation among college women. Data were gathered in the 2013-2014 academic year at two large public universities in the United States, one in the Midwest and one in the Southeast. Data for the current study included 755 college women, 72 (9.5%) of whom identified as sexual minority. Bivariate results showed that heterosexual women reported greater maternal relationship quality and greater religiosity compared to sexual minority women, while sexual minority women reported more risky sexual behaviors and having experienced more coercive sexual assault than heterosexual women. Multivariate results revealed that child sexual abuse, parent drinking problems, maternal relationship quality, heavy drinking, hooking up, and risky sexual behaviors were significantly associated with total sexual assault. Significant correlates of coercive sexual assault included child sexual abuse, maternal relationship quality, hooking up, and risky sexual behaviors. The relationship between maternal relationship quality and total sexual assault varied by sexual orientation as did the relationship between hooking up and coercive sexual assault. These findings have implications for targeted interventions to improve prevention of sexual assault among heterosexual and sexual minority college women.

The Interactive Effects of Child Maltreatment and Adolescent Pregnancy on Late-Adolescent Depressive Symptoms.

Adolescent females are disproportionately at risk for depression, which is expected to represent the leading cause of disability in 2030 (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH] 2019). Although prior research has suggested that both child maltreatment and adolescent pregnancy increase the risk for depressive symptoms, less is known about how these two interact to influence depression in late adolescence. The present study tested the unique and interactive effects of adolescent pregnancy and child maltreatment on late-adolescent depressive symptomatology (N = 186) with a prospective, longitudinal design that utilized documented records of maltreatment and included demographically comparable (i.e., economically disadvantaged), nonmaltreated and non-pregnant comparisons. Participants were assessed at ages 10-12 and 18-21. Structural equation modeling was used to test whether adolescent pregnancy amplified the effect of child maltreatment on late-adolescent depressive symptoms. In the context of economic disadvantage, results indicated that the effect of child maltreatment on late-adolescent depressive symptoms was significantly enhanced for those who experienced an adolescent pregnancy. This effect remained after controlling for prior depressive symptoms, peer and maternal relationship quality, and romantic relationship violence. The findings are translated to preliminary guidance for practitioners regarding precision depression screening and tailored preventive interventions.​.