Mother-adolescent Communication Research Articles

Mother–adolescent communication and father–adolescent communication: Analyzing a 4‐week family intervention using multi‐informant data

Mother–adolescent communication and father–adolescent communication: Analyzing a 4‐week family intervention using multi‐informant data

Impact of sociodemographic factors, stress, and communication on health-related quality of life in survivors of pediatric cancer.

While most research has largely focused on medical risks associated with reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in survivors, sociodemographic and family factors may also play a role. Thus, we longitudinally examined sociodemographic factors and family factors associated with survivor HRQOL, including adolescent's cancer-specific stress, mother's general stress, and mother-adolescent communication. Mothers (N=80) and survivors (ages 10-23, N=50) were assessed 5years following initial diagnosis. Mothers completed measures regarding sociodemographic background adolescent's cancer-specific stress, mother's general stress, mother-adolescent communication, and adolescent HRQOL. Survivors also reported on their own HRQOL. Two hierarchical multiple regressions examined predictors of (a) mother's report of adolescent HRQOL, and (b) survivor's self-report of HRQOL. The final model predicting mother-reported adolescent HRQOL was significant, F(5,74)=21.18, p<.001, and explained 59% of the variance in HRQoL. Significant predictors included adolescent stress (β=-.37, p<.001), mothers' stress (β=-.42, p<.001), and communication (β=.19, p=.03). The final model predicting survivor-reported HRQOL was also significant, F(5,44)=5.16, p<.01 and explained 24% of the variance in HRQOL. Significant predictors included adolescent stress (β=-.37, p=.01) and communication (β=-.31, p=.04). Sociodemographic factors were not a significant predictor of HRQOL in any model. Family stress and communication offer potential points of intervention to improve HRQOL of pediatric cancer survivors from mother and survivor perspectives. While additional research is needed, healthcare professionals should encourage stress management and strong mother-child communication to enhance survivors' long-term HRQOL. Such interventions may be complimentary to efforts targeting the known sociodemographic factors that often affect health.

Perceived Parenting Discrepancy Profiles, Feelings about Language Brokering, and Internalizing Symptoms among Mexican-origin Adolescents in Immigrant Families.

While different patterns of perceived parenting discrepancy among mother-adolescent dyads have been shown to be associated with adolescent internalizing symptoms, little is known about the pathway underlying such associations, particularly among immigrant families. The current study considered one culturally salient form of mother-adolescent communication, language brokering (i.e., adolescents translating and interpreting between host and heritage languages for mothers), in order to investigate its mediating role based on two waves of longitudinal data on Mexican-origin immigrant families. Wave 1 included 604 adolescents (54% female; Mage = 12.92, SD = 0.92) and 595 mothers (Mage = 38.89, SD = 5.74); Wave 2 was collected one year later with data from 483 adolescents. Perceived parenting discrepancy patterns at Wave 1 were captured by three profiles based on the levels of both mothers' and adolescents' perceived positive parenting (i.e., Mother High, Adolescent High, and Both High). Compared to the other two profiles, adolescents who reported much lower positive parenting than mothers at Wave 1 (i.e., Mother High) experienced more negative feelings about brokering at Wave 2, relating to more anxiety. Being in the Mother High (vs. Both High) group was also directly related to more depressive symptoms one year later. This study highlights the importance of considering culturally salient forms of communication, such as language brokering, when designing family-level interventions to reduce adolescents' internalizing symptoms by building agreement on high positive parenting among mother-adolescent dyads from immigrant families.

Social Media Use and Early Adolescents’ Academic Achievement: Variations by Parent-Adolescent Communication and Gender

Research investigating social media use typically focus on late adolescents and young adults, despite a growing number of early adolescents, 93% to 97%—having at least one social media platform. Also, early adolescents are more likely to engage with newer sites, such as Snapchat and Instagram, than older platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Given the evolving landscape of social media, the present study examines the impact of the use of various social media platforms, along with its moderating effects, on adolescents’ academic achievement, using a sample of N = 1,459 early adolescents. Results were such that, as frequency of use on each platform: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat increased, academic achievement decreased. Specific to interaction effects, frequent use of Facebook and Instagram and early adolescents’ academic achievement were moderated by motheradolescent communication; while gender moderated the association between frequent use of Twitter and Snapchat and early adolescents’ academic achievement. Implications are discussed.

Household chaos and mother-adolescent communication.

Household chaos creates unpredictability and stress in families' lives compromising the quality of family interaction and communication. This study examined how mother and adolescent perceptions of daily household chaos relate to adolescent disclosure of information to mothers. We also explored indirect effects through mother and adolescent responsiveness. Participants included 109 mother-adolescent dyads who completed a 7-day diary study (adolescent age 14-18 years, 49% female, 38% White, 25% Asian, 17% Hispanic, 7% Black, 13% multiple/other ethnicities). Multilevel models revealed that on days when adolescents reported more household chaos than usual, they were more likely to disclose information to their mothers. On days when mothers and adolescents perceived more household chaos, they perceived their relationship partner as less responsive, and on days when mothers and adolescents perceived less responsiveness from their relationship partner, they reported less adolescent disclosure. There was a significant indirect effect among mothers' reports at the daily level, such that on days when mothers reported more household chaos than usual, they reported their adolescents as less responsive, and in turn, as disclosing less information to them. Averages across the week showed that mothers who reported higher average levels of household chaos compared to other families reported less adolescent disclosure. Mothers and adolescents who reported more household chaos compared to other families perceived their relationship partner as less responsive, and less adolescent responsiveness predicted less adolescent-reported and mother-reported adolescent disclosure on average compared to other families. Findings are discussed in terms of relational disengagement in chaotic home environments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The Mediating Effect of Internalized Shame on the Relationship between Affiliate Stigma and Interpersonal Anxiety among Adolescent Siblings of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The study examined the mediating effect of internalized shame on the relationship between affiliate stigma and interpersonal anxiety among adolescents with siblings who had autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the moderated mediating effect of mother-adolescent communication openness. The participants consisted of 139 adolescents (boys 48.9%, high-school students 79.8%) who had siblings with ASD. Interpersonal anxiety, affiliate stigma, internalized shame, and mother-adolescent communication openness were measured using the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (La Greca &amp; Lopez, 1998), the Affiliate Stigma Scale (Mak &amp; Cheung, 2008), the Internalized Shame Scale (Cook, 1988), and the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale (Barnes &amp; Olson, 1982), respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Process Macro Models 4 and 7 were used to examine the mediating effect and the moderated mediating effect. The results indicated that internalized shame mediated the effect of affiliate stigma on interpersonal anxiety among adolescents who had siblings with ASD. However, there was no significant moderated mediating effect of mother-adolescent communication openness on the relationship between affiliate stigma, internalized shame and interpersonal anxiety. These findings suggest that it is necessary to improve social awareness of individuals with ASD and their family members to prevent adolescents who have siblings with ASD from having affiliate stigma and to help them reduce interpersonal anxiety. The results also highlight the importance of counseling programs for adolescents with siblings with ASD as a way of preventing or alleviating their interpersonal anxiety by reducing internalized shame, even where they experience affiliate stigma.

Development of a reliable and valid cancer-related communication scale for use between breast cancer survivors and their adolescent children

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the contents of communication between breast cancer survivors and their adolescent children and to develop a reliable and valid communication scale on maternal breast cancer. Methods: The items were extracted from expert and cognitive interviews. The pilot test comprised self-report questionnaires distributed among 97 adolescents aged 12-18 years whose mothers were diagnosed with breast cancer; a retest was conducted on 34 adolescents. Validity was confirmed by testing factorial, known-groups, convergent, and discriminant validity. Reliability was confirmed by measuring internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Results: The mean age of the participants was 14.8 ± 2.0 years, and 51 (52.6%) of them were female. The average age of being informed about maternal breast cancer was 12.5 ± 2.7 years. Confirmatory factor analysis supported 14 items and a 3-factor model, which included expression of negative feelings (first factor), sharing information about breast cancer (second factor), and relationship with the mother (third factor): χ2/df = 1.21, goodness-of-fit index = .892, comparative fit index = .973, root mean square error of approximation = .047, and Akaike information criterion = 154.074. For convergent validity, the family adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve scale confirmed weak correlations for the total, second factor, and third factor scores. Cronbach's α for the total, first, second, and third factors were.863, .764, .882, and.810, respectively. Conclusions: The reliability and validity of the communication scale were confirmed. The scale can help nurses understand and evaluate mother-adolescent communication and devise interventions for facilitating informative, effective, and open discussions regarding maternal breast cancer.

Mental Health Problems amongst Left-behind Adolescents in China: Serial Mediation Roles of Parent-Adolescent Communication and School Bullying Victimisation

AbstractBackgroundAdolescent mental health is a global public health concern and parental migration has been identified as a risk factor. However, the effect mechanism remained unclear.MethodsA total of 2,737 participants (mean = 11.93, SD = 1.23) were recruited from twelve schools in migrant-sending areas in Zhejiang and Anhui provinces. The participants responded to items in Child Depression Inventory, Parent–Adolescent Communication Scale, Olweus Bully or Victim Questionnaire and socio-demographic questions. Serial multiple mediation models were analysed using the bootstrapping method.ResultsCurrent and previous left-behind (LB) experience were significantly associated with higher risks of depression, non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Mother–adolescent communication and school bullying victimisation, in serial order, mediated the effect of current LB status on mental health (p &amp;lt; 0.05). In terms of previously LB adolescents, parent–adolescent communication was a standalone mediator (p &amp;lt; 0.01) and the serial mediation effect of parent–adolescent communication and school bullying victimisation was significant.ConclusionsLack of parent–adolescent communication and school bullying victimisation acted as risk factors for the negative effect of LB status or experience on adolescent mental health. The importance of these two interpersonal factors motivates future intervention initiatives to support the mental health of LB adolescents from an integrated perspective.

The Relationship Between Parent-Adolescent Communication and Depressive Symptoms: The Roles of School Life Experience, Learning Difficulties and Confidence in the Future

PurposeAdolescent depression has become a public health issue in China. Family environment and school life play important roles in shaping adolescent mental health. Our study aimed to examine the effect of parent-adolescent communication, school-life experiences, learning difficulties, and confidence in the future on depressive symptoms. We also examined the mediating effects of school-life experiences, learning difficulties, and confidence in the future on the relationship between parent-adolescent communication and depressive symptoms.MethodsData on depressive symptoms, parent-adolescent communication, and mediating variables were obtained from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS), including baseline data (2013–2014) and follow-up data (2014–2015). Mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the effects of parent-adolescent communication, school-life experiences, learning difficulties, and confidence in the future on depressive symptoms, and path analyses were performed to determine the mediating roles of school-life experiences, learning difficulties, and confidence in the future on the relationship between parent-adolescent communication and adolescent depressive symptoms.ResultsMore father-adolescent communication, better school-life experiences, and higher confidence in the future were protective factors for depressive symptoms among all boys and girls, and learning difficulties were a risk factor for depressive symptoms among all boys and girls. School-life experiences, learning difficulties, and confidence in the future had statistically significant mediating effects on the relationship between parent-adolescent communication and depressive symptoms.ConclusionMore father-adolescent communication, higher confidence in the future, better school-life experiences, and fewer academic difficulties were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Both mother-adolescent communication and father-adolescent communication affected depressive symptoms through their effects on school-life experience, learning difficulties, and confidence in the future. This finding highlighted the importance of parent-adolescent communication and its impact on depression.

Gender differences in the relationships between parental phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms: The mediating role of parent-adolescent communication

Phubbing, as a common phenomenon in modern society's communication, describes the act of using one's phone in face-to-face interactions. In recent years, parental phubbing has attracted the attention of researchers, and it is imperative to explore the relationship between father phubbing (Fphubbing), mother phubbing (Mphubbing) and adolescent development. Therefore, this study investigated 4213 adolescents (mean age = 16.41, SD = 0.77, 52.5% were boys) and explored the relationship between Fphubbing and Mphubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. Our single-group path analysis showed that both Fphubbing and Mphubbing were positively associated with adolescents’ depressive symptoms. These positive associations were mediated by father-adolescent communication and mother-adolescent communication. Furthermore, multiple-group path analysis revealed that, compared to male adolescents, the relationship between Fphubbing and father-adolescent communication, and the relationship between Mphubbing and mother-adolescent communication were stronger in female adolescents. These findings offer a more ecological and comprehensive understanding of how parental phubbing associates with parent-adolescent communication and adolescents’ depressive symptoms.

Actor-Partner Effects of Mother-Adolescent Communication and Conflict on Psychological Well-Being for Mothers and Male/Female Adolescents

Objectives: Guided by the family systems theory (Bowen, 1966) and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM; Cook &amp; Kenny, 2005), this study examined the actor-partner effects of mother-adolescent communication on the psychological well-being of mothers and their adolescent children via mother-adolescent conflict and the differences between female and male adolescents.Methods: A total of 249 dyads of mothers and their adolescent children (age 13-16) in South Korea completed questionnaires on mother-adolescent communication, mother-adolescent conflict, and psychological well-being, respectively. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, path model analysis, and multiple group analysis.Results: First, the findings showed both partial actor and partner effects of perceived mother-adolescent communication on psychological well-being through a perceived level of conflict in both male and female adolescents and mother pairs. In addition, we examined sex differences for the aforementioned indirect pathways. There were sex differences in the indirect actor effects, in that mothers’ and adolescents’ own perceived communication had differential effects on psychological well-being indirectly through perceived conflict. The indirect partner effects also differed between male and female adolescents. The results of this study are meaningful because they emphasize the bidirectionality of the relationships among these variables.Conclusion: The findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the dyadic process in which mother-adolescent communication, conflict, and psychological well-being perceived by mothers and adolescents affect themselves as well as each other. This study is meaningful because the results emphasize the relationships between these variables. In utilizing a family systems approach, this study’s findings can aid in developing parent education programs, counseling interventions, and family policies that improve individuals’ psychological well-being.

Mother Phubbing and Adolescent Loneliness: A Mediation Model of Mother–Adolescent Communication and Perceived Mother Acceptance

Phubbing is a new form of neglect, and recent studies have examined the effects of parental phubbing on adolescent psychological development. The aim of this study was to explore whether there would be a significant correlation between mother phubbing (Mphubbing) and loneliness and whether mother–adolescent communication (MAC) and perceived mother acceptance (PMA) would sequentially mediate the relation between Mphubbing and adolescent loneliness. Our study included 3,293 senior high school students from China who completed measurements regarding demographic variables, Mphubbing, MAC, PMA, and loneliness. The sequential mediation model of MAC and PMA in the relationship between Mphubbing and loneliness was analyzed to verify all possible paths in this study. Taking the demographic variables as covariables, the results indicated that (1) Mphubbing was positively correlated with loneliness in adolescents and (2) MAC and PMA mediated the relationship between Mphubbing and adolescent loneliness sequentially. Our study highlights the potential mediating mechanisms between Mphubbing and adolescent loneliness, which has important implications for the theoretical and practical of adolescent loneliness in the age of mobiles.

Parent-Adolescent Communication and Early Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: The Roles of Gender and Adolescents' Age.

Positive parent-adolescent communication has been found to be negatively related to adolescent depressive symptoms; however, few studies have investigated the moderating effects of adolescent gender and age on this relationship, especially during early adolescence in China. The present study investigated the joint moderating effects of adolescent gender and age on the linkage of father-adolescent and mother-adolescent communication with adolescents’ depressive symptoms. A total of 11,455 Chinese junior high school students (Mage = 14.15 years, SD = 1.22 years; 49.86% boys; Ngrade7 = 5712, Ngrade9 = 5743) completed ad hoc questionnaires of parent-adolescent communication and depressive symptoms. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results indicated that gender and age jointly moderated the association between parental communication and adolescent depressive symptoms. Specifically, for girls, the negative effects of both father-adolescent and mother-adolescent communication on depressive symptoms were stronger in 9th grade students than in 7th grade students, while for boys, the negative effects were not different between 7th grade students and 9th grade students. These findings suggest that in China, the protective effects of positive parent-adolescent communication on adolescents’ depressive symptoms may be most salient among senior-grade girls in junior high school.

Interparental Conflict, Emotional Insecurity, and Parent–Adolescent Communication

Destructive conflict within the marital relationship has been shown to negatively impact the family system. Exposure to destructive interparental conflict may be particularly detrimental to adolescent development. Destructive interparental conflict is associated with decreased quality of parent–adolescent communication. One potential explanatory mechanism for this relationship is adolescents’ emotional insecurity in the interparental relationship. Exposure to destructive interparental conflict may decrease adolescents’ sense of emotional security. Therefore, this study examined whether emotional insecurity security mediated the relationship between destructive interparental conflict and parent–adolescent communication, based on a longitudinal study on family communication ( N = 225). Path analysis revealed that the relationship between destructive interparental conflict and father–adolescent communication, as well as mother–adolescent communication, was mediated by emotional insecurity. The results provide insight into the consequences that destructive interparental conflict may have for aspects of the parent–adolescent relationship, as well as practical implications for the development of future intervention programs.

Observed Comfort in Sexual Communication between Mothers and Adolescents

Research on parent-adolescent sexual communication has often used self-report measures despite discrepancies among family members. The current study was designed to use a multi-method approach to better understand mother-adolescent sexual communication. This study examined maternal and adolescent self-reports on sexual communication and observed ratings of mothers’ and adolescents’ comfort during an interaction task. Participants were recruited from a mid-sized Canadian city and included 68 dyads of mothers and adolescents who were between 12 and 17 years old. Based on an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), results indicated that mothers’ observed comfort was positively associated with adolescent girls’ but not boys’ reports of sexual communication. Findings suggest the importance of using a multi-method approach to studying parent-adolescent sexual communication and the role of gender in parent-adolescent sexual communication.

The Influence of Parent Distress and Parenting on Bereaved Siblings' Externalizing Problems.

Bereaved siblings experience more externalizing problems compared to non-bereaved peers and norms; however, the mechanisms explaining this phenomenon have not been empirically examined. This study tested the serial indirect effects of sibling bereavement on adolescents' externalizing problems through parent distress (i.e., internalizing symptoms) and parenting (i.e., parenting behaviors, parent-adolescent communication). During home visits, 72 bereaved adolescents (ages 10-18) whose brother/sister died from cancer and 60 comparison peers reported about their externalizing problems and their mothers' and fathers' parenting behaviors (warmth, behavioral control, psychological control) and parent-adolescent communication (open communication, problematic communication). Mothers and fathers reported their own internalizing symptoms. Bereaved siblings reported more externalizing problems (p =.048) and bereaved mothers reported more internalizing symptoms relative to the comparison group (p =.015). Serial multiple mediation models indicated that elevated externalizing problems were partially explained by both bereaved mothers' internalizing symptoms and parenting and communication (less warmth [CI: 0.04, 0.86], more psychological control [CI: 0.03, 0.66], and more problematic mother-adolescent communication [CI: 0.03, 0.79]), with a significant indirect effect also emerging for open mother-adolescent communication [CI: 0.05, 1.59]. Bereaved fathers did not significantly differ in internalizing symptoms from comparison fathers (p =.453), and no significant indirect effects emerged for fathers. Elevated externalizing problems in bereaved siblings may result from mothers' distress and the impact on their parenting and communication. Targeting adjustment and parenting in bereaved mothers following a child's death may reduce externalizing problems in bereaved siblings. Research to evaluate family-centered interventions is needed.

Mother-Adolescent Daughter Communication about Sex: Integrative Review

As sexual issues are taboo, it is considered inappropriate to discuss them directly and openly, especially communication about sex between mothers and daughters. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how communication between mothers and daughter about sexual topics can be improved to increase safe sexual behaviors. The purpose of this study is to understand the communication about sex between mothers and their adolescent daughters by conducting an integrative review of qualitative studies. An integrative review of qualitative research studies from 2000 to 2017 was undertaken. Systematic literature searches were carried out on electronic databases for journal articles and doctoral dissertations with full text focusing on mother-adolescent daughter communication about sex. Data was synthesized using thematic analysis. Seven qualitative articles were included in the synthesis, and five recurring themes were identified: 1) Mothers’ attitudes towards talking about sex with daughters 2) Feelings of daughters towards sexual communication with mothers 3) The first-time mother starting to talk about sex with her daughter 4) Contents of sexual communication and 5) Successfulness of communication. Results suggest future research in developing programs to provide communication about sexual matters between mothers and their daughters effectively, including consideration of different cultures and social contexts, is necessary. Keywords : mother-daughter communication, communication about sex, integrative review Address Correspondence to author: Lakkhana Chainok, RN Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University 99 Klong1, Khlong Neung, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand. email: lakkhana014@nurse.tu.ac.th Received: March 23, 2018 Revision received: April 20, 2018 Accepted after revision: July 6, 2018 BKK Med J 2018;14(2): 121-127. DOI: 10.31524/bkkmedj.2018.09.020

Mother-Adolescent Communication in Low-Income, Latino Families during Language Brokering: Examining the Theory of Resilience and Relational Load

ABSTRACTLow-English proficiency parents often have their bilingual children translate, called language brokering. Brokering can be stressful for low-income, Latino adolescents, who are already at-risk for depression. We tested the theory of resilience and relational load (TRRL) in a new context (in 100 low-income, Latino mother-adolescent dyads who engaged in language brokering) and extended TRRL by proposing security- and threat-based behaviors and appraisals can be represented by interaction goals. We examined mother warmth, mother brokering interaction goals of supporting and monitoring the adolescent, adolescent brokering feelings, and adolescent depressive symptoms. Mothers’ support goal was a protective factor against adolescent depression, but only when adolescents also inferred mothers pursued this goal. Adolescent positive brokering feelings were also a protective factor, as when positive feelings were high, the positive association between negative feelings and depression was not present. Findings supported TRRL propositions about relational maintenance, security-based goals, emotional reserves, and mental health.

How do mothers manage their privacy with adolescents? Exploring mother–adolescent communication in Mexican immigrant families

The present study seeks to understand how Mexican immigrant mothers manage private information with adolescent children activating the state of emotional parentification. “Emotional parentificiation” occurs when there is a role reversal between parent and adolescent where the child is prematurely given adult responsibilities in the family and provides emotional support to parents. Sixteen Mexican immigrant mothers participated in individual interviews and as a result of the thematic analysis, three themes were identified: (1) adolescent children serving as a reluctant confidant, (2) adolescent children becoming a deliberate confidant, and (3) adolescent children employing confidant privacy rule strategies. Findings discussed mothers’ perspective of adolescent children coping with unsolicited private information from their mothers during parent–adolescent conversations where the adolescent children were put into a situation of being a reluctant confidant. Findings also demonstrated that some adolescent children became a deliberate confidant seeking information from their mothers. In reaction to mothers’ disclosure, the study identified three types of confidant privacy rule strategies used by adolescent children, that is, comforting, mediating, and protecting.

Protective Factors Associated with Daily Affective Reactivity and Instability During Adolescence.

The daily emotional experiences of adolescents are dynamic, vary significantly across individuals, and are crucial to their psychological adjustment, warranting a need to identify factors that promote adaptive affective responses to stressors and attenuated affective instability. The objective of this study, therefore, was to examine protective factors linked to individual differences in daily affective reactivity and instability utilizing a daily diary design in a national sample of 100 U.S. adolescents (13-17 years; 40% girls; 79% White). Adolescents completed a baseline survey and then 14 daily online surveys. Better mother-adolescent communication predicted lower negative affect reactivity, whereas greater use of problem-focused coping strategies predicted higher positive affect reactivity. Greater trait resilience and instrumental support seeking predicted lower negative affect instability. Conversely, more emotional support seeking predicted higher negative affect instability. No factors were associated with positive affect instability, and father-adolescent communication was unrelated to daily affective reactivity and instability. The findings implicate specific protective factors associated with distinct aspects of affective reactivity and instability.