Parent-adolescent Relationship Research Articles

Prevalence of and risk factors for suicidal ideation in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

Pandemic-related life changes may have had a deleterious impact on suicidal behaviours. Early detection of suicidal ideation and identification of subgroups at increased risk could help prevent suicide, one of the leading causes of death among adolescents worldwide. Here, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for suicidal ideation in adolescents using a population-based sample from Switzerland, two years into the pandemic. Between December 2021 and June 2022, adolescents aged 14 to 17 years already enrolled in a population-based cohort study (State of Geneva, Switzerland) were asked about suicidal ideation over the previous year. In addition to a regression model, we conducted a network analysis of exposures which identified direct and indirect risk factors for suicidal ideation (i.e. those connected through intermediate risk factors) using mixed graphical models. Among 492 adolescents, 14.4% (95% CI: 11.5-17.8) declared having experienced suicidal ideation over the previous year. Using network analysis, we found that high psychological distress, low self-esteem, identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual, suffering from bullying, extensive screen time and a severe COVID-19 pandemic impact were major risk factors for suicidal ideation, with parent-adolescent relationship having the highest centrality strength in the network. Our results show that a significant proportion of adolescents experience suicidal ideation, yet these rates are comparable with pre-pandemic results. Providing psychological support is fundamental, with a focus on improving parent-adolescent relationships.

Screening parent-adolescent relationships, screen behaviors, tridimensional acculturation, and health among Black immigrant and refugee adolescents during dual pandemics.

This brief report assesses parent-adolescent relationships, screen behaviors, and tridimensional acculturation as risk and promotive or protective factors for health among Black U.S. immigrant or refugee adolescents during the dual COVID-19 and racism or Whiteness pandemics. Eighty-nine immigrant- or refugee-origin adolescents completed online surveys (72% Somali American, 28% Jamaican American; 45% female; 15% foreign-born; M = 14.11 years). Regression analyses revealed that parental autonomy support, parental restrictive media mediation, and adolescent heritage culture identification were promotive of better screen media use behaviors. Only adolescent media literacy self-efficacy was related to higher screen time. Importantly, screen self-regulation was a better predictor of general health than screen time. Results highlight many parenting strengths in Black immigrant or refugee families and underscore the resilience-promoting power of parent-adolescent relationships. Health implications are discussed to provide guidance for future prevention efforts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Developmental trajectories of mother-adolescent agreement on maternal autonomy support and their contributions to adolescents' adjustment.

Based on a multi-informant, longitudinal perspective on parent-adolescent relationships, this study examined patterns of convergence and divergence on maternal autonomy support. It had two aims: First, it sought to identify developmental trajectories of maternal autonomy support across adolescence from the perspectives of both mothers and adolescents. A second was to evaluate the longitudinal relation between self-reported and perceived maternal autonomy support by combining informants' trajectories. Data come from two 5-year longitudinal multi-informant studies (NS1 = 687 mother-child dyads; NS2 = 745 mother-child dyads). Each year, mothers and adolescents completed a questionnaire assessing maternal autonomy support. In both the samples, results of growth mixture modeling showed from mothers' perspective the presence of two distinct trajectories: high (91% of the sample) and moderate and relatively stable (9%) trajectories. From the adolescents' perspective, three trajectories were identified: high and relatively stable (75.7%), high and decreasing (11.8%), and moderate and increasing (12.5%). The normative mother-adolescent convergence pattern was one in which both adolescents and their mother reporting high levels of autonomy support. It was generally associated with more positive indices of adjustment, although academic achievement was highest when adolescents reported comparatively more autonomy support than their mother. The worst mother-adolescent convergence pattern tended to be one in which both reported initially moderate levels of autonomy support that remained relatively stable for mothers and increased for youths. Implications for parenting research and interventions are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Discrepancies in Perceived Indulgent Parenting, Relationship Satisfaction, and Psychological Well-Being of Adolescents and Parents.

Indulgent parenting has been associated with adolescents' psychological well-being problems; however, prior research has primarily relied on adolescents' report of such parenting behavior and its association with their own well-being, often overlooking parents' perceptions of indulgence and their own well-being. In this study, we address this gap in the literature by examining the agreement and disagreement between parents' and adolescents' perceptions of indulgent parenting and the implications for the psychological well-being of both adolescents and their parents. Further, we explore the role of adolescent-parent relationship satisfaction as a potential factor affecting these associations. Our investigation was based on data from 128 parent-adolescent dyads. Utilizing structural equation modeling with double-entry intraclass correlations (ICC_DE), our analyses revealed several main findings: (1) adolescents perceived higher levels of indulgent parenting than their parents did; (2) disagreement in perceived indulgent parenting between parents and adolescents was linked to psychological well-being problems for both adolescents and their parents; and (3) disagreement in perceptions in indulgent parenting had a stronger association with adolescents' well-being problems when adolescents reported greater relationship satisfaction with their parents. These findings provide insights into perceptions of indulgent parenting within parent-adolescent relationships and bring psychological implications for both adolescents and their parents.

Through each other's eyes: initial results and protocol for the co-design of an observational measure of adolescent-parent interaction using first-person perspective

BackgroundCurrent observational methods to understand adolescent-parent interaction are limited in terms of ecological and content validity. We outline initial results and a protocol for future work from a programme of work to: (1) establish a new method for data capture of adolescent-parent interaction at home using wearable cameras and; (2) develop a new relevant and comprehensive observational micro-coding scheme. In Part 1, we report our completed preliminary work, comprised of an initial scoping review, and public engagement work. In Part 2, we present a protocol for the development of the new measure.MethodsPart 1—We searched Pubmed for existing observational measures of adolescent-parent interaction for the scoping review. We also undertook public engagement work utilising a mobile research van, taken to multiple locations around Bristol, UK to engage with a variety of populations through interactive methods. Part 2—Our protocol describes plans for: (1) A systematic review of the psychometric properties of observational measures of adolescent-parent interaction; (2) Focussed public engagement workshops; (3) Harmonisation of information from existing coding schemes and literature with information from public engagement with adolescents and parents; (4) A pilot study to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the method; (5) Development of a coding scheme in consultation with expert and lay panels, and through real-life application to recorded videos from a pilot sample.ResultsScoping review: we identified 21 adolescent-parent observational schemes, of which eight used micro-coding and 13 used globalcoding schemes. The majority of micro-coding schemes were not developed specifically for adolescents. Most studies used conflict or problem-solving tasks, which may not adequately capture positive adolescent-parent interactions. The mobile van event received views from 234 young people and/or parents. Families were positive about taking part in research using headcams. “Trust” and “understanding” were most frequently reported as important adolescent-parent relationship constructs.ConclusionsThis work represents the first attempt to truly co-design a method to assess parenting in adolescence. We hope to develop an observational measure using novel technological methods that can be used across a range of research and therapeutic settings.

Assessing Parent-Adolescent Relationship: Communication Pattern and Conflict as Perceived by Adolescents

Assessing Parent-Adolescent Relationship: Communication Pattern and Conflict as Perceived by Adolescents

Parenting and other potential protective factors associated with polysubstance use among public school students in Lagos, Nigeria.

Substance use is a growing problem in Nigeria. The present study extended recent work documenting the importance of parenting as protective against substance use in Nigerian youth by testing a model linking parenting, additional protective factors and polysubstance use. Public school students (N = 1607; 56% female; M age = 14.88; SD = .44 years) living in the greater Lagos region participated in school-based data collection. Lifetime polysubstance use, defined as use of two or more substances including alcohol or illicit drugs, or misuse of over-the-counter medications, was reported by 5.2% of the sample. Structural equation modelling that accounted for adolescent age and sex on all constructs revealed good model fit. Positive parenting (support and solicitation) was significantly associated with higher perceived harmfulness of substance use, religiosity and positive relationships at school. Positive school relationships were associated with a decreased likelihood of polysubstance use. Multiple group analysis revealed no overall sex differences in the model paths. Strengthening parent-adolescent relationships may have a cascading effect on protective factors and subsequent substance use, and should be included in youth substance use prevention programmes.

Domesticating Paralinguistic Digital Affordances in Adolescent Romantic Relationships and Parent-adolescent Relationships: A Relational Perspective

Paralinguistic digital affordances (PDAs; e.g., the Like button on social media platforms) are becoming increasingly popular for adolescents to manage online relationships. Domestication theory focuses on the taming process of technological use. To reconsider the approach of domestication in the mediascape with diversified types of relationships, this paper analyzes how Chinese adolescents domesticate the PDAs in romantic relationships and parent-adolescent relationships. Based on focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with 23 Chinese adolescents, this study uses thematic analysis and identifies adolescents’ relational domestication of PDAs in accordance with relationship contexts—relational closeness, relational norms, relational dynamics and relational embeddedness. Specifically, the exchange of PDAs with romantic partners and parents has a sense of closeness. However, the different relationship norms determined that PDAs are differently domesticated in a romantic style or authoritative style in romantic relationships and parent-adolescent relationships. Furthermore, adolescents domesticate the dynamic sense of PDAs in an interactive way. Given the existence of real or imagined audiences, adolescents domesticate PDAs within a larger social network. Implications for understanding how the domestication of PDAs intersects with cultural context are discussed.

Impact of poverty and adversity on perceived family support in adolescence: findings from the UK Millennium Cohort Study.

Emotional support from family members may have an important effect on adolescent health outcomes, and has been identified as a target for policy to protect against the impacts of poverty and other early life adversities. However, few studies have assessed the extent to which poverty and adversity themselves influence the nature of emotional support that parents can provide to adolescents. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the impact of trajectories of income poverty and family adversities, including parental mental ill health, alcohol misuse and domestic violence across childhood developmental stages on young people's relationships with their families and perceived emotional support received. We analysed longitudinal data on 10,976 children from the nationally representative UK Millennium Cohort study. Exposure trajectories of poverty and family adversities were characterised using group-based multi-trajectory models (age 9months-14years). The outcomes were perceived emotional support and quality of family relationships, measured by the three-item Short Social Provisions Scale (SPS-3) and levels of parent-adolescent closeness and conflict, measured at age 14. ORs and 95% CIs were estimated using multivariable logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounding factors. At age 14, the overall prevalence of low perceived emotional support was 13% (95% CI: 12, 14). Children of mothers with lower socioeconomic status (SES) were more likely to report low emotional support, with a clear social gradient (education-degree plus: 10.3% vs. no qualifications: 15.4%). Compared with children exposed to low levels of poverty and adversity, children in the persistent adversity trajectory groups experienced higher odds of low emotional support and low-quality parent-adolescent relationship; those exposed to both persistent poverty and poor parental mental health were particularly at increased risk of experiencing poor family relationships and low perceived emotional support (adjusted odds ratio 2·2; 95% CI 1·7-2·9). Low perceived emotional support and poor family relationships in adolescence are more prevalent among socially disadvantaged children and adolescents and those experiencing social adversity. Policies to improve levels of family support for UK adolescents should focus on improving modifiable determinants such as child poverty and family mental health.

Adolescents' relationships with parents and romantic partners in eight countries.

Creating romantic relationships characterized by high-quality, satisfaction, few conflicts, and reasoning strategies to handle conflicts is an important developmental task for adolescents connected to the relational models they receive from their parents. This study examines how parent-adolescent conflicts, attachment, positive parenting, and communication are related to adolescents' romantic relationship quality, satisfaction, conflicts, and management. We interviewed 311 adolescents at two time points (females = 52%, ages 15 and 17) in eight countries (China, Colombia, Italy, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States). Generalized and linear mixed models were run considering the participants' nesting within countries. Adolescents with negative conflicts with their parents reported low romantic relationship quality and satisfaction and high conflicts with their romantic partners. Adolescents experiencing an anxious attachment to their parents reported low romantic relationship quality, while adolescents with positive parenting showed high romantic relationship satisfaction. However, no association between parent-adolescent relationships and conflict management skills involving reasoning with the partner was found. No associations of parent-adolescent communication with romantic relationship dimensions emerged, nor was there any effect of the country on romantic relationship quality or satisfaction. These results stress the relevance of parent-adolescent conflicts and attachment as factors connected to how adolescents experience romantic relationships.

Supporting adoptive and foster parents of adolescents through the trauma-informed e-Connect parent group: a preliminary descriptive study.

Adolescents in adoption and foster care are likely to show internalizing and externalizing problems and affective dysregulation, leading to a lower quality of parent-adolescent attachment relationships and high levels of strain for parents. This study describes the results of the first application of the trauma-informed attachment-based Connect Parent Group in an online form (e-Connect) with Italian adoptive and foster parents. In this study, we describe (1) trends in the aforementioned variables between pre- (T1) and post- (T2) intervention and (2) parents' feedback and suggestions about the intervention. Participants were 10 adoptive and 10 foster parents (53% females, Mage = 53.48; SDage = 4.93) who attended e-Connect, an attachment-focused and trauma-informed 10-session online group intervention. This intervention aims at increasing caregiver awareness of attachment and trauma concerning adolescents' problem behaviors and sensitive responsiveness, thereby leading to improvements in parent-adolescent relationship quality, decreases in adolescents' problems, and reductions in caregiver strain. One e-Connect group was offered for adoptive parents and one for foster parents. Parents completed questionnaires 1 week before (T1) and after (T2) the intervention and responded to a feedback interview following program completion. Only at the descriptive level, scores of adolescents' internalizing and externalizing problems, affective dysregulation, and caregivers' strain show decreasing trends. Parents reported high satisfaction with the program, declaring changes in parent-adolescent relationships both currently (94.7%) and anticipated in the future (100%). All parents indicated that they would recommend e-Connect to other parents. Given promising parents' feedback, the feasibility of e-Connect supporting adoptive and foster parents of adolescents can be further empirically investigated.

Parent empathy and adolescent disclosure in the context of type 1 diabetes management

Adolescent disclosure to parents is a key aspect of positive parent-adolescent relationships and youth adjustment. We leveraged a study of diverse families with an adolescent with type 1 diabetes to examine how observed parental empathy during parent-adolescent conflict discussions about diabetes management was associated with observed adolescent disclosure and adolescent self-reported disclosure to parents. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes and the parent most involved in their diabetes care ( N = 67 dyads) participated in the study. Parent empathy, adolescent disclosure, and parent positive affect during parent-adolescent conversations were rated by trained coders. Parents reported on their own empathy and adolescents reported on their own disclosure, parental knowledge of their diabetes management, and parental acceptance. Results indicated that observed parental empathy was associated with both observed and self-reported disclosure. This association remained after covarying other parent-adolescent relationship and parent dispositional, demographic, and diabetes variables. This study holds implications for promoting greater parental communication of empathy to encourage adolescent disclosure in the context of chronic illness management.

Within-family associations of parent-adolescent relationship quality and adolescent affective well-being.

Parent-adolescent relationship quality is theorized to be an important correlate of adolescent affective well-being. Little is known about the within-family processes underlying parent-adolescent relationship quality and affective well-being over a period of months. This three-wave, preregistered study examined within- and between-family associations between parent-adolescent relationship quality (support and conflict) and adolescent well-being (negative and positive affect). In addition, we examined whether the associations differed between mothers and fathers, and for adolescents' affective well-being in different social contexts (at home, at school, with peers). The sample consisted of 244 Dutch adolescents (61.5% girls; age range: 12-17 years; mean age = 13.8 years). Random-intercept cross-lagged panel modelswere used. At the between-family level, higher levels of support and lower levels of conflict were associated with higher levels of positive affect and lower levels of negative affect. At the within-family level, increases in support and decreases in conflict were concurrently associated with increases in positive affect and decreases in negative affect. More parent-adolescent conflict than typical also predicted increases in negative affect, 3 months later, and more negative affect and less positive affect than typical predicted increased conflict, 3 months later. These within-family effects were largely similar for fathers and mothers. Associations for conflict occurred through bidirectional processes: Parent-adolescent conflict shaped and was shaped by adolescents' emotions at home, at school, and with peers. Results suggest that parent-adolescent relationship quality (especially conflict) and adolescent affective well-being cofluctuate and predict each other over time within families.

Cumulative Genetic Scores Interact with Maternal and Paternal Parenting in Predicting Parent-Adolescent Cohesion and Conflict.

Previous research concerning the interplay between genetics and parenting in the development of the parent-child relationship during adolescence has been extremely scarce, predominantly adopting single-gene designs. This limited body of work has largely overlooked the distinct effects of maternal and paternal roles, as well as potential gender differences. Additionally, existing gene-by-environment (G × E) studies have mainly concentrated on adverse environmental factors and associated negative outcomes, somewhat neglecting positive environments and outcomes. The present study examined the interactions of cumulative genetic scores (CGS, dopamine receptor D2 TaqIA and oxytocin receptor gene rs53576 polymorphisms) with both positive and negative parenting on parent-adolescent cohesion and conflict. Furthermore, this study aimed to ascertain with which gene-environment model the potential G × E interactions would align. A total of 745 Chinese Han adolescents (Mage = 13.36 ± 0.96 years; 46.8% girls) from grades 7 to 9 participated in this study. Results revealed a significant effect of CGS and negative maternal parenting on mother-adolescent conflict among males, consistent with the weak differential susceptibility model. As CGS increased, the effects of negative maternal parenting on mother-son conflict were magnified. These findings have implications for the timing and focus of interventions aimed at improving parent-adolescent relationships.

Staying connected after divorce: Adolescent child and nonresidential parent perspectives

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate how nonresidential parents and adolescent children maintained their relationships and communicated with one another following parental divorce.BackgroundA substantial proportion of children whose parents have divorced live with one parent and have less contact with the other parent. It is important to understand nonresidential parent–child relationships and the role communication technology plays in relationship maintenance.MethodQualitative interviews were conducted with a total of 34 adolescent and nonresidential parent participants (10 nonresidential parent–child dyads and 14 individual participants) to understand how nonresidential parents and children maintain their relationship following parental divorce and how they use communication technology to stay connected from a distance. Thematic analysis techniques (Braun & Clarke, 2006) were used to analyze the data.ResultsThree common positive factors or “benefits” relating to nonresidential parent–adolescent relationship closeness emerged: planned physical visits, frequent communication using multiple communication methods, and same sex of parent and child. Factors that served as barriers that interfered with nonresidential parent–adolescent relationship closeness were identified: residential parent interference, perceived child disengagement or lack of interest, and child blocking methods of communication.ConclusionThe results of this study provide additional insight and understanding that will help positively influence nonresidential parent–child relationships.ImplicationsPractitioners can help nonresidential parents identify communication technologies they can use with their adolescents and ways of reducing existing communication barriers.

Where do 15- to -17-year-olds in Canada get their sexual health information?

Sexual health education delivered in school, provided by parents, or provided by other formal sources has been associated most closely with increased rates of condom use and improvements in many other sexual risk behaviours. Friends and the internet are other information sources, although quality and accuracy are not always as high. Nationally representative Canadian data about where adolescents obtain their sexual health information are lacking. Weighted data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth were used to examine the sources typically used to obtain sexual health information by 15- to 17-year-olds, as well as the prevalence and characteristics of adolescents reporting not having an adult to talk with about sexual health and puberty. Most 15- to 17-year-olds in Canada reported having at least one source of sexual health information (96.6%). More than half identified school (55.6%) and parents or guardians (51.2%) as sources of sexual health information. The internet (45.9%), friends (36.2%), and health care professionals (20.9%) were other common sources. Whereas 61.2% of adolescents identified more than one source of sexual health information, 3.4% reported not having any source. Nearly 15% of adolescents reported not having an adult to talk with about sexual health or puberty. Differences in sources consulted and having an adult to talk with depended on many factors, including sexual attraction and/or gender diversity, sex, immigrant status, racialized status, lower-income status, strength of parent-adolescent relationship, region of residence, and mental health. An improved understanding of the sources of sexual health information used by adolescents and identification of characteristics associated with adolescents reporting not having an adult to talk with could help develop strategies to improve sexual health outcomes via better access to sexual health promotion and educational resources.

Role of Pubertal Timing and Perceived Parental Attachment in Internalizing Problem Behaviours Among Adolescents.

Adolescents need supportive social institutions to help them deal effectively with the demands of pubertal changes accompanied by new social roles, reducing their susceptibility to problem behaviors. Considering this, it will be investigated how internalizing problem behaviors in teenagers is affected by the interaction between pubertal timing and perceived parental attachment. For this, cross-sectional data from 772 adolescents with ages ranging from 11 to 15years old was used. Regression analyses showed early maturing adolescents with insecure perceived parental attachments had higher levels of depression and anxiety than their early, on-time, and late maturing counterparts with secure perceived parental attachments. This finding supports the contextual amplification model, as the detrimental consequences of early maturation are impacted by difficult parent-adolescent relationships.

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.

Parental Engagement in Promoting Awareness of Contraceptive Use among Female Students in Nigeria and Cameroon

Despite government and non-governmental organizations' efforts, contraceptive utilization in Nigeria remains low. Similarly, Cameroon faces high maternal mortality and low contraceptive prevalence. Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant social and public health concern globally, necessitating efforts to promote contraceptive use. Parent-adolescent sexual communication is often viewed as taboo in Nigeria and Cameroon, hindering awareness about contraceptive use. This study examines the role of parents in creating awareness of contraceptive use among female university students in Nigeria and Cameroon.    The study adopts a comparative approach, investigating the cultural role of parents in awareness creation for contraceptive use in Nigeria and Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 420 female university students in both countries. The findings highlight the valuable role of parents in shaping adolescents' knowledge and behavior regarding contraceptive use. Recommendations include enhancing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, promoting parent-adolescent communication, addressing cultural barriers, improving contraceptive access, and conducting further research. Implementing these recommendations can empower adolescents with accurate information, foster supportive parent-adolescent relationships, and enhance sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young people.

Parenting Practices and Psychosomatic Complaints Among Swedish Adolescents.

Objectives: Parent-adolescent relationships play a crucial role in youth development. This study examines the associations between parenting practices (parental support, knowledge, and rule-setting) and psychosomatic complaints across middle and late adolescence. Methods: The study utilised data from a Swedish national cohort (n = 3,678). Participants completed self-report questionnaires in 2017 (∼15-16years) and again in 2019 (∼17-18years). Results: Parental support exhibited the strongest and most consistent inverse cross-sectional associations with psychosomatic complaints during both middle and late adolescence. Furthermore, increases in parental support and parental knowledge were associated with decreases in adolescent psychosomatic complaints. However, parental support and knowledge at age 15-16 were not prospectively associated with psychosomatic complaints at age 17-18. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of ongoing parental engagement, particularly in terms of providing constant support, throughout middle and late adolescence.