Parent-child Relationship Quality Research Articles

[Background factors of childhood sleep disorders: interparental conflicts, parent-child attachment, parenting style and the quality of parent-child relationship].

[Background factors of childhood sleep disorders: interparental conflicts, parent-child attachment, parenting style and the quality of parent-child relationship].

The whys and wherefores of home creativity support: A cross-cultural reflexive thematic analysis between British and French parents

Although creativity research increasingly documents how parents support their children's creativity at home, previous work has been mostly quantitative in nature, while qualitative studies almost exclusively report data from mothers. Thus, we conducted online qualitative interviews of 14 parents (9 mothers and 5 fathers) of children aged between 4 and 6 years, who were living in France or in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a cross-cultural reflexive thematic analysis, we explored questions around what views of early childhood creativity parents shared; whether (and if so why) they are motivated to engage in dyadic home creative activities with their children; and their perceptions of the benefits of these activities, both on themselves, and on their children. The parents shared views and definitions of creativity in line with creativity research. Moreover, they explained how they used creative activities to teach their children social rules, self-expression, independence, and skills development. They also appreciated creative activities as a strategy to help their children vent and calm down or, in contrast, to foster in them a sense of joy and vitality. Parents also reported the extent to which creative activities contribute to parent—child relationship quality. We discuss these findings through the lens of Self-Determination Theory.

Maternal dispositional mindfulness and mother-child relationship: The mediating role of emotional control during parenting.

The literature supports the role of parental dispositional mindfulness on parent-child relationship quality. However, little is known about the connection between these two aspects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether emotion regulation during parenting, that is, the ability to control negative emotions, mediated the association between parental dispositional mindfulness and parent-child relationship quality. The study also explored the moderation role of child age on the association between parental dispositional mindfulness and parent's ability to control negative emotions during parenting. Participants were 635 mothers of children aged between 12 months and 5 years. Mothers completed self-report questionnaires to measure maternal dispositional mindfulness, mother-child relationship quality and maternal control of negative emotions during parenting. Results showed that maternal ability to control negative emotions during parenting partially mediated the association between maternal dispositional mindfulness and mother-child relationship quality. Moreover, the moderation role of child age indicated that the association between maternal dispositional mindfulness and maternal ability to control negative emotions during parenting was stronger for older children's mothers. Dispositional mindfulness has a protective role for the quality of parenting and the mother-child relationship. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Evaluation of Siblings’ Perceived Relationship Outcomes with Their Parents in an Open Trial of the SIBS Intervention for Children with Chronic Disorders

AbstractThe SIBS intervention aims to prevent mental health problems for siblings of children with chronic disorders and has shown promising results. The mechanisms behind these changes have not been examined. Parent-child relationship quality is a predictor of mental health in siblings. Our first objective was to investigate whether sibling-perceived relationship quality between siblings and parents changes over time after participating in SIBS. Second, as the intervention requires participation of only one parent, we examined with a dual scale (anxiety and avoidance attachment style) whether relationship quality was associated with which parent participated. Third, as SIBS aims to promote parents‘ communication skills, we examined whether sibling-perceived communication quality with parents predicted relationship quality over time. The sample comprised 99 siblings (M = 11.5 years, SD = 2.0; range 8–16; 54% girls, 46% boys) of children with chronic disorders and one parent per sibling (63% mothers). We administered the questionnaires at pre-intervention, at three- and 6-months post-intervention. We applied growth curve models for relationship quality over time with communication quality as a predictor, controlling for parent gender. We found significant improvement in sibling-perceived relationship quality with the participating and the non-participating parent on the relationship anxiety scale over time, with small to medium effect sizes. Higher communication quality significantly predicted improvement of relationship quality in all four relationship outcomes. We conclude that change in relationship quality may be part of the positive outcomes of the SIBS intervention and is mainly explained by communication enhancement. Controlled trials of the SIBS intervention are indicated.

A Pivotal Time and Place: University Place Attachment, Childhood Neighborhood Affordances, and Internalizing Symptoms in Emerging Adulthood

People-place dynamics matter for well-being and for 69% of emerging adults in the US, the university is a pivotal place at a pivotal time. Research suggests that low childhood neighborhood affordances contribute to internalizing symptoms, but we know less about the impact of the university context. This study asked: how does university place attachment impact internalizing symptoms beyond the effects of childhood neighborhood affordances? Two-hundred and seventy-five university students self-reported on perceived childhood neighborhood affordances, university attachment, and current internalizing symptoms. Higher university attachment coincided with higher perceived neighborhood affordances and lower depression and social anxiety symptoms while controlling for demographic factors and parent-child relationship quality. Further, there was an indirect effect of neighborhood affordances via university attachment on social anxiety, but not depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that university place attachment contributes meaningfully to internalizing symptoms in emerging adulthood and that childhood neighborhood affordances may impact attachment to novel life-spaces.

A reciprocal association between interpersonal relationship quality and student's positive affect: Athree-wave random intercept cross-lagged study in a Chinese primary mathematics learning context.

This study adopted a three-wave random intercept cross-lagged panel model to explore the longitudinal reciprocal relationships between (a) the teacher-student relationship (TSR) quality and (b) the parent-child relationship (PCR) quality and positive affect among Chinese primary school students. Two primary school student samples, including 3505 and 2505 students, were tracked with their perceived relationship quality with math teachers and parents and their positive affect levels in mathematics learning over three academic years. The results demonstrated that more closeness with parents could significantly predict students' subsequent higher level of positive affect in mathematics learning. However, more closeness with their math teachers did not show significant prediction. Meanwhile, more conflict with math teachers and parents could significantly predict their subsequent lower degree of perceived positive affect in mathematics learning. That is, a reciprocal association lines in the PCR quality and positive affect, whereas only a unidirectional association exists between the TSR and positive affect. The predictions of the experienced positive affect on their perceived interpersonal relationships with math teachers and parents were stronger than those in the reverse association. This study identifies that while the effects of closeness with math teachers and parents on positive affect in students' math learning differ, conflict with math teachers and parents indeed harms students' experienced positive affect in math learning. More attention should also be paid to fostering positive affect in math learning.

Parent-adolescent discrepancies in educational expectations, relationship quality, and study engagement: a multi-informant study using response surface analysis.

Whether parental educational expectations for adolescents serve as a source of motivation or stress depends on the extent to which adolescents hold expectations for themselves. Previous research on the discrepancies between parental and adolescent educational expectations and their impact on learning engagement has been limited by traditional statistical tests, and lacking an examination of the internal mediating mechanism of parent-child relational quality from both parental and adolescent perspectives. This cross-sectional study, utilizing a multi-informant design, examined the association between discrepancies in parents' and adolescents' reports of expectations, and adolescents' study engagement, as well as the mediating role of parent-child relational qualities perceived by both parties. The sample for this study consisted of 455 adolescents and their parents from 10 classes in a junior high school in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The adolescents had an average age of 12.8 years, and 51.6% of them were boys. Both parents and adolescents reported on their expectations and perceived relational quality, while adolescents also filled out questionnaires assessing their learning engagement. Data were analyzed using polynomial regressions with response surface analysis. The results revealed that when adolescents reported high expectations, regardless of whether their parents reported high or low expectations, adolescents reported satisfied relationships and high learning engagement. In contrast, parents reported satisfied relationships when both parties reported high expectations, or when parents reported higher expectations than adolescents. Lastly, the association between discrepancies in expectations and learning engagement was significantly mediated by adolescent-reported relationships but not parent-reported ones. These findings highlight the importance of considering multiple perspectives when studying the association between expectations and adolescent study engagement. This research advances our comprehension of the dynamics between parent-adolescent educational expectation discrepancies and adolescent learning engagement, offering insights for more nuanced and effective parenting strategies tailored to foster optimal educational outcomes.

Aging Parents and the Ties That Bind: Intergenerational Relationship Quality Among Culturally Diverse Canadian Families.

Drawing from a life course perspective, this paper examines mid/later-life parent-child relationship quality among ethnically diverse families. Focus is on the role of culture, child, and parental characteristics. Data are drawn from a study of 588 parents aged 50+ of a least one child aged 19-35 who reside in Metro Vancouver, B.C. from four Canadian cultural groups: British, Chinese, Persian/Iranian, and South Asian. Using OLS regression methods, we use two dependent variable scales: positive and negative support/interaction appraisals of the relationship. The positive relationship quality scale is associated with South Asian versus British-Canadian parents, mothers, those with greater income satisfaction, and daughters. The negative scale is inversely associated among South Asian versus British-Canadian parents, income satisfaction, parental health, and being unpartnered (vs. partnered). Interaction effects are found between gender and ethnicity. Implications for theorizing and applied recommendations for those who work with culturally diverse aging families are discussed.

How to effectively support couples in parenting? The Parents as Partners (Rodzice jako Partnerzy) program as an effective model of group work with parental couples

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and dynamics of the impact on participants of the Parents as Partners program, adapted from Great Britain to Polish conditions. A three-fold questionnaire measurement was used - at the stage of preliminary consultations, in the middle of the program and at the last meeting of the group. The study group consisted of parental couples participating in the program. Each couple had at least one child under the age of 11. The research hypotheses assumed the occurrence of changes in the scope of (I) improvement of anxiety-depressive symptomatology, (II) improvement of communication and the assessed quality of relationships in the parental couple, (III) reduction of the level of parental stress. The results indicate improved communication, withdrawal from aggressive conflict resolution and dysfunctional interactions, and reduced parental stress. The program turns out to be effective in improving functioning in relationships and reducing parental stress. The thesis about the importance and effectiveness of group intervention addressed to parental couples participating in the program together is confirmed. The impact of the program on improving the quality of parent-child relationships and thus improving the functioning of children can be observed.

Examining psychosocial pathways to explain the link between breastfeeding practices and child behaviour in a longitudinal cohort

ObjectiveBreastfeeding is associated with reduced postpartum depression, stronger parent-child relationships, and fewer behavioral disorders in early childhood. We tested the mediating roles of postpartum depression and parent-child relationship in the association between breastfeeding practices and child behavior.Study designWe used standardized questionnaire data from a subset of the CHILD Cohort Study (n = 1,573) to measure postpartum depression at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years, parent-child relationship 1 year and 2 years, and child behavior at 5 years using the Child Behavior Checklist (range 0-100). Breastfeeding practices were measured at 3 months (none, partial, some expressed, all direct at the breast), 6 months (none, partial, exclusive), 12 months, and 24 months (no, yes). Confounders included birth factors, maternal characteristics, and socioeconomic status.ResultsBreast milk feeding at 3 or 6 months was associated with − 1.13 (95% CI: -2.19-0.07) to -2.14 (95% CI: -3.46, -0.81) lower (better) child behavior scores. Reduced postpartum depression at 6 months mediated between 11.5% and 16.6% of the relationship between exclusive breast milk feeding at 3 months and better child behavior scores. Together, reduced postpartum depression at 1 year and reduced parent-child dysfunction at 2 years mediated between 21.9% and 32.1% of the relationship between breastfeeding at 12 months and better child behavior scores.ConclusionPostpartum depression and parent-child relationship quality partially mediate the relationship between breastfeeding practices and child behavior. Breastfeeding, as well as efforts to support parental mental health and parent-child relationships, may help to improve child behavior.

Psychosocial outcomes of children born via embryo donation.

What are parents' perceptions of their relationships with and the psychosocial adjustments of their children who are born via embryo donation? Families created through embryo donation have well-adjusted parent-child relationships and reassuring child psychosocial outcomes. Embryo donation is an effective and growing form of third-party reproduction, but there is limited research in this field. Prior studies suggest that families created through gamete donation function well regarding parent-child relationship quality and child behavioral and socioemotional adjustment. This is a cross-sectional survey study with 187 total participants. Parents of children born via embryo donation were recruited nationally by contacting all embryo donation programs registered with the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinic Outcome Reporting System (SART CORS) as well as medically directed embryo donation or 'embryo adoption' centers. Participants completed three online Qualtrics questionnaires. The first was a survey including 33 questions on demographics, the procurement process, and self-reported obstetric outcomes. Participants also completed two standardized measures assessing children's behavior and parents' adjustment to parenthood: the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ). Scoring of the SDQ and PARQ was totaled and compared to standardized values (SDQ) or previously published results on other forms of gamete donation (PARQ), such as oocyte donation and sperm donation. On the SDQ (n = 46), the average total difficulties scores by age were: 8.2 ± 0.98 for ages 2-4, 7.6 ± 0.93 for ages 5-10, and 3.5 ± 0.77 for ages 11-17; this is compared to the normal reported range of 0-13, which indicates that clinically significant psychosocial problems are unlikely. Across all ages and individual categories (emotional symptoms, conduct problem, hyperactivity, peer problem, prosocial), scores on the SDQ were within the normal ranges. The average PARQ score (n = 70) for all respondents was 27.5 ± 1.18 (range: 24-96), suggesting perceived parental acceptance. Because this study was cross-sectional, it could not capture familial relationships over time. This survey-based study design allows for potential selection bias (parents of well-adjusted children may be more likely to participate). Additionally, the overall sample size is relatively small; however, it remains one of the largest published to date. Another significant limitation to this study is the lack of generalizability: most participants were recruited from private, faith-based, embryo donation programs who are demographically similar. Though embryo donation is an established form of third-party reproduction, it is significantly less robustly studied compared to other forms of gamete donation (oocyte or sperm donation). This study provides a larger data set with a more expanded age range of children compared to the limited number of previously published studies. Furthermore, these findings indicate a high parental disclosure rate with respect to the use of embryo donation which contrasts previous findings. No external funding source was utilized for the completion of this study. No conflicts are disclosed. N/A.

Sibling and pet relationships: links with adversity and adjustment in pre-adolescence

Although children view pets (i.e. companion animals) as family members, child-pet relationships are rarely studied alongside other family relationships. In a socially diverse sample of 77 British families with pre-adolescent children (M age = 12.14 years, SD = 0.29 years), we examine how the quality of children’s relationships with their pets and siblings vary in the context of adversity, and controlling for parent-child relationship quality, predict their behavioral adjustment. Children reported on the quality of their relationships and mothers rated child adjustment. Mother, child, and researcher ratings were combined to construct a multi-informant index of adversity. Child-pet positivity differed by adversity level for girls (but not boys) and, in low adversity contexts, was associated with greater concurrent prosocial behavior. Sibling positivity was unrelated to adversity, but had a buffering effect, in that adversity only predicted increases in problem behaviors over 12 months for those with low sibling positivity.

Maternal cognitive functioning and psychopathology predict quality of parent-child relationship in the context of substance use disorder: A 15-month longitudinal study.

This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the role of maternal cognitive functioning and psychopathology in parent-child relationship quality during residential treatment for mothers with Substance Use Disorder (SUD), in order to identify factors that may enhance or limit intervention effects.We assessed cognitive functioning (Esame Neuropsicologico Breve-2 [ENB-2]) and psychopathology (Symptom Checklist-90 Revised [SCL-90-R]) in 60 mothers diagnosed with SUD (Mage = 30.13 yrs; SD = 6.79) at treatment admission. Parent-child relationship quality was measured during free-play interactions using the Emotional Availability Scales every three months from admission (Child Mage = 17.17m; SD = 23.60) to the 15th month of the residential treatment.A main effect of maternal psychopathology and an interaction effect of time and cognitive functioning were found. More maternal psychopathology predicted lower mother-child relationship quality. Mothers with higher cognitive functioning presented a better treatment trajectory, with an increase in mother-child relationship quality, whereas mothers with lower cognitive functioning showed a decrease in relationship quality after initial improvement.These findings suggest that maternal psychopathology and cognitive functioning may influence the treatment of parent-child relationships in the context of SUD, although causality is not yet established. Implications for assessment and intervention are discussed.

Parents' dyadic coping, parent–child relationship quality, and children's emotional difficulties during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Parents' dyadic coping, parent–child relationship quality, and children's emotional difficulties during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Parent-Child Relationship, Well-Being and Home-Leaving during the Transition from High School to University

This prospective study examined changes in parent–child relationship quality and well-being during the transition to university. We also investigated whether living situation (i.e., moving out of the parental home) and motivation to leave home were related to these changes. The participants were 240 Turkish university students (65.4% female; Mage = 17.74 (0.53) at Time 1) participating in two measurement waves from 2017 to 2019. Results of Latent Change Score Models revealed that both autonomy support of fathers and perceived stress decreased over time, while other parent–child relationship qualities and life satisfaction remain relatively stable on average. First-year university students who left home showed less decline in stress than those still living at home. We did not find living situation and motivation to leave home to moderate changes in parent–child relationship quality and well-being. Furthermore, we found bidirectional associations mainly between parent–child relationship quality and life satisfaction and between conflict with mother and stress. These findings underline the importance of considering the changes in parent–child relationship quality and well-being in the transition to university in a family-oriented culture.

The Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation in the Relationship Between Parent-Child Relationship Quality and Risky Behaviors in Adolescents

Objective: Adolescence is a critical period in life. During adolescence, individuals experience new situations and, as a result, face various risks. The present study aims to determine the mediating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between the quality of the parent-child relationship and risky behaviors in adolescents. Methods and Materials: This study is descriptive-correlational in terms of data collection and structural equation modeling in nature. The study population includes all adolescents in Tehran city. Based on Morgan's table, 222 individuals were selected as the sample size through a convenient sampling method and participated in the current study. Data were collected using the Parent-Child Relationship Assessment questionnaire, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation questionnaire, and the Adolescent Risk-Taking Scale. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation analysis and path analysis in the AMOS and SPSS version 22 software. Findings: The results of the research showed that maladaptive emotion regulation is significantly positively correlated with risky behaviors in adolescents (P < 0.01). The quality of the parent-child relationship had a significant negative correlation with components of risky behaviors in adolescents (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Other findings of this research indicated that emotion regulation strategies play a mediating role in the relationship between the quality of the parent-child relationship and risky behaviors. Therefore, in adolescents, the quality of the parent-child relationship determines risky behaviors through emotion regulation strategies.

A Case Study on Improving the Quality of Parent-Child Relationship of Rural Children with the Sandplay Therapy

A Case Study on Improving the Quality of Parent-Child Relationship of Rural Children with the Sandplay Therapy

CHILDHOOD PARENT–CHILD RELATIONSHIP, PARTNER RELATIONSHIP CLOSENESS, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN LATER LIFE

Abstract Attachment theory suggests that quality of early-life parent-child relationships may influence how people establish other types of relationships (e.g., romantic relationship, friendship) later in life, and have long-lasting effects on individuals’ psychosocial development. Yet, little research has investigated whether such effects may last until later adulthood and the potential moderators in these processes. To address this issue, this study examined the associations among childhood parent-child relationship quality, current partner relationship closeness, and depressive symptoms in late life using a sample of 12,292 community-dwelling adults aged 51 or older (Mage = 63.15, 51% female). We leveraged the seven-wave longitudinal data between 2006–2018 from the Health and Retirement Study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the CESD score at each wave. Participants also reported closeness with their partner every other wave, and relationship quality with their parents in childhood. Multilevel models showed that better mother-child and father-child relationships during childhood were both associated with greater closeness with partner in late life, especially for female compared to male. Poorer childhood mother-child relationship was associated more depressive symptoms in late life, but this association was attenuated for those who overall reported a greater level of closeness with their partner over the study period. The findings suggest that negative early life parent-child relationship may put people at greater risk for developing depressive symptoms and weaker social connections in late life, and highlight the protective role of positive partner relationship in buffering this association.

Longitudinal associations between early risk and adolescent delinquency: Mediators, moderators, and main effects.

Although multiple domains of risk are theorized to predict adolescent delinquency, father-specific risk in the context of other risks is under-researched. Using the low-income Future of Families and Child Wellbeing cohort (48% Black, 27% Hispanic, 21% White, 51% boy, N = 4,255), the current study addressed three research questions. (1) are father-, mother-, child-, and family-level cumulative risk during early childhood associated with adolescent delinquent behavior?, (2) does child self-control in middle childhood mediate the associations between fathers' and mothers' cumulative risk and adolescent delinquent behavior, and do quality of parent's relationships with children and parental monitoring in middle childhood mediate the association between child cumulative risk and delinquent behavior?, (3) do parenting, quality of parent-child relationships in middle childhood, and child sex at birth moderate the associations among fathers', mothers', children's, and family risk and adolescent delinquent behavior? Results indicated father, child, and mother risk at ages 3-5 were significantly and positively associated with youth-reported delinquent behavior. Higher levels of family risk were associated with less delinquency when 9-year-olds felt closer to fathers than when they felt less close. Children's self-control at age 9 mediated the associations between father and child risk and delinquent behavior.

Parental Internet practices in the family system: Restrictive mediation, problematic Internet use, and adolescents’ age-related variations in perceptions of parent-child relationship quality

The current study draws from family systems theory to investigate the relationships between parents’ Internet practices, adolescent age (as a proxy for child development), and adolescents’ perceptions of parent-adolescent relationship quality. Secondary data analysis of 4,592 U.S. parent-adolescent dyads from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey revealed that when parents reported having more problematic Internet use, adolescents (ages 12–17) reported having worse relationships with their parents. Stricter rules regarding Internet usage were associated with lower parent-adolescent relationship quality. This negative relationship was more pronounced for adolescents 14.55 years old and older. Unexpectedly, having stricter rules about Internet content was related to better parent-adolescent relationship quality; this association was weaker for older adolescents. The findings provide insight into the differences between restrictive Internet mediation practices about time and content, the importance of examining parents’ problematic Internet use, and the need for considering children’s development when examining the role of media in the family system.