Parent-youth Conflict Research Articles

Parental involvement in Mexican-origin adolescents' romantic relationships: An examination of parents' cultural orientations and parent-youth relationships.

Romantic relationships are normative in adolescence, and parents can play a role in supporting or restricting adolescents' romantic experiences. This study examined parents' involvement in adolescents' romantic relationships in a sample of 226 Mexican-origin families. Findings indicated that, on average, mothers were more supportive of adolescents' romantic relationships than fathers, and parents were more supportive of daughters than of sons. Fathers' (but not mothers') Mexican cultural orientations were associated with greater restrictions on adolescents' romantic relationships. For mothers of boys, higher levels of familism values were linked to lower levels of support, and for fathers of boys, more traditional gender role attitudes were associated with less support. Also, more parent-youth conflict was associated with greater support from mothers but greater restrictions from both mothers and fathers. Finally, less granted autonomy in early adolescence was associated with greater parental restrictions. Discussion focuses on the nature of mothers' and fathers' involvement in adolescents' romantic relationships. Implications for research and practice highlight the importance of recognizing cultural and relational factors that shape mothers' and fathers' parenting around adolescent dating.

Parent-child conflict in Mexican-origin families: Charting development from adolescence to young adulthood.

Grounded in developmental and cultural-ecological perspectives, the current study examined trajectories of parent-youth conflict regarding everyday issues across adolescence and into young adulthood. Data came from 246 Mexican-origin families in the southwestern United States with younger siblings (51% female, Mage = 12.8, SD = 0.58), older siblings (Mage = 15.5, SD = 1.57), mothers (Mage = 39.0; SD = 4.6), and fathers (Mage = 41.7; SD = 5.8) and were collected at four time points over an 8-year period. Multilevel modeling analyses revealed linear declines in mother-youth and father-youth conflict across ages 12-22. Youth, but not parent, familism values were associated with variation in parent-youth conflict. This study extends understanding of culturally and developmentally salient processes of mother-youth and father-youth relationships in Mexican-origin families.

COVID-19 responses and coping in young Malaysians from low-income families.

This study aimed to shed light on how young people from low-income families were responding to COVID-19. This cross-sectional study recruited young people aged between 18 and 24 years from the low-income-group communities. A convenience sampling approach was used. Google Surveys were used to gather data from the survey. The questionnaire consisted of an assessment of demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, parent-youth conflict (Parental Environment Questionnaire, PEQ), resilient coping (Brief Resilient Coping Scale, BRCS), and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-short form, DASS-21). A total of 561 complete responses were received. The results showed a low level of parent-child conflict in the overall study population, with a median PEQ of 48.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 36-48]. Higher parent-child conflicts were found in females than in males (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.19-2.57) and in youth from households with an income below MYR 2000 than those earning MYR 3,001-5,000 (OR = 4.39, 95% CI 2.40-8.03). A low prevalence of depression (12.5%), anxiety (15.2%), and stress (6.4%) was found. Parent-child conflict remains the strongest significant predictor for higher levels of depression (OR = 10.90, 95% CI 4.31-27.57), anxiety (OR = 11.92, 95% CI 5.05-28.14), and stress (OR = 4.79, 95% CI 1.41-16.33) symptoms. Poor resilient coping was the second strongest predictor for depression and anxiety symptoms. Regarding lifestyle factors, a lower level of physical exercise was associated with higher symptoms of depression. By demographics, females reported more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety than males. Young people from low-income households reported greater severity in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress than those from high-income households. Young people who are employed also reported greater severity of anxiety symptoms than those who are unemployed. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an unpredictable impact on the lives of vulnerable youth in low-income families that warrants attention in future advocacy efforts.

Latent classifications of parental involvement in diabetes management for youth with type 1 diabetes: A randomized clinical trial.

Understanding how parent-child relationships influence diabetes management in youth with type 1 diabetes is critical for minimizing the risk of short- and long-term complications. We examined how classes of diabetes-specific parenting behaviors are associated with disease management and well-being for youth with type 1 diabetes. The Family Management of Diabetes clinical trial tested the efficacy of a 2-year behavioral intervention for families of youth with type 1 diabetes. Three hundred and ninety youth diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and their primary caregiver were recruited from four pediatric endocrinology centers in the US Classifications of parental involvement utilized baseline parent and youth reports of task involvement, collaborative involvement, and parent-youth conflict. Class differences in baseline glycemic control (HbA1c), regimen adherence, general and diabetes quality of life, and depressive symptoms, and 2-year change in HbA1c were examined. Latent profile analysis identified three classes: (1) high in task and collaborative involvement, low in conflict (Harmonious), (2) low in task involvement, collaborative involvement, and conflict (Indifferent), (3) high in task involvement and conflict, low in collaborative involvement (Inharmonious). The Harmonious group demonstrated the best adherence, glycemic control, and psychosocial well-being. The Inharmonious and Indifferent groups had similar diabetes management, but youth from Inharmonious families showed poorer psychosocial well-being. The intervention effect on glycemic control did not differ across the classes. The interplay of parental involvement and conflict resulted in distinct parenting classes that differed in disease management and well-being. However, the classes benefitted similarly from the behavioral intervention.

Mexican-origin parents' workplace discrimination and well-being: The roles of familism values, family conflict, and gender.

This study examined Mexican-origin parents' perceived workplace discrimination, familism, family conflict, and gender as related to parents' well-being (i.e., self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and general physical health) over a 2-year period during the 2007-2009 "Great Recession" in the U.S. Data were drawn from two waves of a larger study of 246 Mexican-origin predominantly immigrant families with adolescents. Using a matched-pairs sample of mothers and fathers, path analyses were conducted to test the hypothesized relations. Moderation analyses revealed that high levels of familism weakened the link between workplace discrimination and parents' depressive symptoms, whereas high levels of parent-youth conflict exacerbated the association to parents' psychosocial well-being. There was variation by parent gender, with parent-youth conflict being more strongly associated with fathers' self-esteem than mothers'. Findings indicate that Mexican-origin parents' familism can mitigate and family conflict can exacerbate the risks of workplace discrimination on parents' psychosocial well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Parent\u2013youth conflict as a predictor of depression in adulthood: a 15-year follow-up of a community-based cohort

Experiencing conflictual relations with one’s parents while growing up has been linked to onset, recurrence, and worse treatment outcome of adolescent depression. While this suggests that significant problems in the parent–youth relationship make depressive disorders more relentless, it is not clear whether this effect lasts into adulthood. Our aim was to examine if major and minor conflict with parents while growing up predicts depression in adulthood in youth with and without a history of depression. We utilized data from the Uppsala Longitudinal Adolescent Depression Study. This community-based cohort was assessed with structured diagnostic interviews both at age 16–17 and at follow-up 15 years later. The analyses included 382 individuals (227 with a history of child or adolescent depression; 155 peers without such a history). Binary logistic regression was used, adjusting for sex, disruptive behavior disorders, and additional family-related adversities. Among individuals with adolescent depression, major conflict with parents was strongly associated with adult depression (adjusted OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.07–4.87). While major conflict with parents was rare among non-depressed controls, a non-significant association of similar magnitude was still observed. Minor conflict, on the other hand, was not significantly associated with adult depression. Overall, conflict with parents did not predict adult anxiety disorders, substance use, suicidal behavior, somatoform disorders, or psychotic disorders. In conclusion, major parent–youth conflict during upbringing seems to be linked with an increased risk of depression in adulthood. These findings underscore the need to consider contextual/familial factors in the prevention and clinical management of early-life depression.

Relational impairments, sluggish cognitive tempo, and severe inattention are associated with elevated self-rated depressive symptoms in adolescents with ADHD.

This study examines how ADHD-related symptoms and impairments interact to predict depression symptoms in young adolescents with ADHD. A sample of 342 adolescents (71% male, mean age = 13years old) with DSM-IV-TR diagnosed ADHD completed baseline clinical assessments upon entry to a psychosocial treatment study for ADHD. Ratings of ADHD and sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms, and social and academic impairment were obtained from parents, while ratings of depressive symptoms and conflict with parents were obtained from youth. Among adolescents with ADHD, elevated depressive symptoms were associated with higher SCT symptom severity, lower hyperactive/impulsive (HI) symptom severity, higher social impairments, higher conflict with parents, and lower academic problems. Interaction effects indicated that clinically significant depressive symptoms were most likely to occur when high levels of parent-youth conflict were present along with high inattentive (IN) symptoms, high SCT, and/or low HI. Among children and adolescents with ADHD, depression prevention efforts might target IN/SCT symptom management, as well as improving interpersonal relationships with parents and peers. Future work is needed to verify these findings longitudinally.

Acculturation Gap Distress among Latino Youth: Prospective Links to Family Processes and Youth Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol Use, and Academic Performance.

Latino youth have higher rates of educational and mental health difficulties compared to peers from other racial/ethnic groups. To understand the factors related to such maladjustment, a mediational model linking youth report of parent-youth acculturation gaps to prospective changes (from spring to fall semester) in youth report of academic performance, depressive symptoms and alcohol use via youth report of parent-youth conflict and family cohesion, was studied in a sample of 248 U.S.-and foreign-born Latino youth (Mage = 15.21 years; 50% female; 67% U.S.-born). Parent-youth acculturation gaps were associated with changes in youth academic performance across two semesters via their negative impact on family functioning. For U.S.-born youth, parent-youth acculturation gaps were also linked to changes in alcohol use via parent-adolescent conflict. Results provide some support for the acculturative gap hypotheses while unique findings across nativity groups suggest that such individual-level characteristics may serve as important sources of variation for Latino youth.

Housework time from middle childhood through adolescence: Links to parental work hours and youth adjustment.

The developmental course, family correlates, and adjustment implications of youth housework participation from age 8-18 were examined. Mothers, fathers, and 2 siblings from 201 European American families provided questionnaire and/or daily diary data on 6 occasions across 7 years. Multilevel modeling within an accelerated longitudinal design revealed that girls spent more time on housework than did boys, but that housework time of both girls and boys increased from middle childhood to mid-adolescence and leveled off thereafter. In years when mothers were employed for more hours than usual, girls, but not boys, spent more time on housework than usual. Housework time was linked to more depressive symptoms (at a between-person level) and predicted lower school grades (at a within-person level) for youth with low familism values. Housework time also predicted more depressive symptoms (at a within-person level) for youth with high parent-youth conflict about housework. Findings highlight the gendered nature of housework allocation and the importance of considering both individual and contextual factors when examining youth daily activities. (PsycINFO Database Record

Parent-Youth Differences in Familism Values from Adolescence into Young Adulthood: Developmental Course and Links with Parent-Youth Conflict.

A critical step in capturing family processes is to incorporate the perspectives and experiences of multiple family members toward characterizing how families operate as systems. Although some research has examined differences between parents' and youth's family experiences, most studies have focused on European American families, and we know little about the nature and implications of divergent parent-youth experiences in other ethnic groups. Accordingly, we focused on Mexican-origin families and assessed the links between mother-youth and father-youth differences in familism values and parent-youth conflict from early adolescence into young adulthood. Participants were mothers, fathers, and two siblings (248 female and 244 male, 51% female; M age=14.02years) from 246 families who were interviewed in their homes on three occasions over 8years. We operationalized parent-youth differences in familism values using difference scores, controlling for mean levels of familism. Multilevel models revealed that mothers' and fathers' familism values remained relatively stable over time, but youth's familism values declined until age 17, stabilized, and then increased slightly in young adulthood. Lagged models tested directions of effect by examining whether parent-youth differences in familism values predicted parent-youth conflict or vice versa. The findings revealed that parent-youth conflict predicted greater differences in parent-youth familism values, but differences in familism values did not predict conflict. Our findings align with a family systems perspective in documenting the significance of differences between family members' perspectives and highlighting that such processes are dynamic. Further, by testing bi-directional associations in longitudinal models, we were able to disentangle the temporal ordering of differences in familism values and parent-youth conflict thereby advancing understanding of parent-youth discrepancies in cultural values.

Parents' Differential Treatment of Adolescent Siblings in African American Families.

Research on European and European American families suggests that parents' differential treatment of siblings has negative implications for youths' adjustment, but few studies have explored these dynamics in minority samples. This study examined parents' differential acceptance and conflict in a sample of mothers, fathers, and two adolescent siblings in 179 African American families who were interviewed on three annual occasions. In an effort to replicate findings from European and European American samples, we assessed the longitudinal associations between differential treatment and adolescent adjustment and tested three sibling characteristics (birth order, gender, and dyad gender composition) as potential moderators of these linkages. To illuminate the sociocultural context of differential treatment and its implications, we also explored parents' cultural socialization practices and experiences of financial stress as potential moderators of these links. Multilevel models revealed that, controlling for average parent-child relationship qualities, decreases in parental acceptance and increases in parent-youth conflict over time-relative to the sibling-were associated with increases in youths' risky behavior and depressive symptoms. Links between differential treatment and adjustment were not evident, however, when mothers engaged in high levels of cultural socialization and in families under high financial stress. The discussion highlights the significance of sociocultural factors in family dynamics.

Depressive Symptoms in a Trial Behavioral Family Systems Therapy for Diabetes: A Post Hoc Analysis of Change.

The objective was to test whether Behavioral Family Systems Therapy for Diabetes (BFST-D), an evidence-based family therapy, produces individual changes in depressive symptoms for adolescents with type 1 diabetes in suboptimal glycemic control (HbA(1c) ≥9.0% [≥74.9 mmol/mol]). Data were from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing two modes of BFST-D delivery: in clinic versus Internet videoconferencing. There were no significant differences between groups in the RCT, so groups were collapsed into a within-group prepost design for secondary analyses. A multiple regression analysis was performed to test for mediation of treatment outcomes by changes in family processes. Significant improvements in glycemic control, depressive symptoms, and family functioning were found from pre- to posttreatment. A multiple regression analysis for within-subject mediation indicated that improvements in depressive symptoms were partially mediated by improvements in parent-youth conflict; however, family process changes did not mediate diabetes health outcomes. In addition to improving treatment adherence and glycemic control, BFST-D has collateral benefits on depressive symptoms.

Alcohol Use Trajectories After High School Graduation Among Emerging Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

To explore alcohol involvement trajectories and associated factors during the year post-high school (HS) graduation among emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. Youth (N= 181) self-reported alcohol use at baseline and every 3months for 1year post-HS graduation. Data were also collected on parent-youth conflict, diabetes self-efficacy, major life events, living and educational situations, diabetes management, marijuana use, cigarette smoking, and glycemic control. Trajectories of alcohol use were modeled using latent class growth analysis. Associations between trajectory class and specific salient variables were examined using analysis of variance, chi square, or generalized linear mixed model, as appropriate. Identified alcohol involvement trajectory classes were labeled as (1) consistent involvement group (n= 25, 13.8%) with stable, high use relative to other groups over the 12months; (2) growing involvement group (n= 55, 30.4%) with increasing use throughout the 12months; and (3) minimal involvement group (n= 101, 55.8%) with essentially no involvement until the ninth month. Those with minimal involvement had the best diabetes management and better diabetes self-efficacy than those with consistent involvement. In comparison with those minimally involved, those with growing involvement were more likely to live independently of parents; those consistently involved had more major life events; and both the growing and consistent involvement groups were more likely to have tried marijuana and cigarettes. This sample of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes has three unique patterns of alcohol use during the first year after HS.

Longitudinal associations between sibling relationship qualities and risky behavior across adolescence.

This study examined the associations between sibling intimacy and conflict and youths' reports of risky behavior in a sample of adolescents ages 11-20. Participants were mothers, fathers, and sibling dyads in 393 families who were interviewed annually for 3, 4, or 5 years. Multivariate multilevel models tested longitudinal links between sibling intimacy and conflict and youths' risky behavior and whether these associations were moderated by birth order, sex, or dyad sex constellation. Controlling for parent-youth conflict, the results showed positive within-person covariation between sibling conflict and risky behavior for all youths except firstborns with younger brothers. Controlling for parent-youth intimacy, sibling intimacy was positively linked with risky behavior at the between-person level, but only in brother-brother pairs. The discussion focuses on sibling relationships as a context for adolescents' individual development and the roles of birth order, sex, and dyad sex constellation.

Parenting style, parent−youth conflict, and medication adherence in youth with type 2 diabetes participating in an intensive lifestyle change intervention.

Parenting behaviors and family conflict relate to type 1 diabetes outcomes in youth. Our purpose was to understand these relationships in parents and youth with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The TODAY (Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth) trial enrolled youth (10-17 years) with T2DM and parent/guardian. For this ancillary study, we enrolled a sample of youth-parent pairs (N = 137) in 1 study arm (metformin plus lifestyle intervention). They completed questionnaires measuring parenting style related to normative (e.g., completing homework) and diabetes self-care (e.g., testing blood glucose) tasks, and parent-youth verbal conflict (baseline, 6, and 12 months). Parenting style was consistent across normative and diabetes tasks, with gradual increases in autonomy perceived by youth. Conversations were generally calm, with greater conflict regarding normative than diabetes tasks at baseline (youth: p < .001, parent: p = .01), 6 months (youth: p = .02, parent: p > .05), and 12 months (youth: p > .05., parent: p = .05). A permissive parenting style toward normative tasks and a less authoritarian style toward diabetes tasks, at baseline, predicted better medication adherence (8-12 months) (normative: adjusted R2 = 0.48, p < .001; diabetes: adjusted R2 = 0.47, p < .001). Parent-youth conflict did not predict medication adherence. Youth with T2DM who perceive more autonomy (less parental control) in day-to-day and diabetes tasks are more likely to adhere to medication regimens. It may be valuable to assess youth perceptions of parenting style and help parents understand youths' needs for autonomy.

Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes during the First Year Post-High School: Perceptions of Parental Behaviors.

Among 182 emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (93% White and 57% female), changes during the year post-high school were examined in perceptions of diabetes-specific conflict with parents, parent-youth shared responsibility, parental tangible aid, and parental autonomy support, as well as the moderating effects of living situation, gender, years with diabetes, and glycemic control. A linear mixed effects model, controlling for baseline values, tested the changes in and relationships among these variables over time. Changes over time in parent-youth conflict were moderated by living independently of parents; autonomy support and shared responsibility were moderated by years with diabetes; and tangible aid was moderated by glycemic control. Future longitudinal research needs to examine whether changes in parental behaviors lead to positive or negative diabetes outcomes among these emerging adults with diabetes.

The Association of Parental Self-Efficacy and Parent–Youth Connectedness With Youth Smoking Intentions

Little attention has been paid to understanding how parents of differing race/ethnicity perceive their effectiveness in exercising anti-smoking parenting practices and how these behaviors affect youth's smoking intentions. We explored the association of parent–youth connectedness and parental self-efficacy and youths’ smoking intentions in a group of African American and Caucasian never-smokers. Based on Social Bonding Theory and Social Learning Theory, a questionnaire was administered to nonsmoking, 9–16-year-old youth and parent dyads, assessing youth smoking intentions and parental measures of connectedness and self-efficacy. Youth risk factors for intending to smoke were increased parent–youth conflict and protective factors were increased parental monitoring, increased parental rule setting, and higher parental self-efficacy. Parent–youth connectedness and parental self-efficacy did not differ by parental smoking status or by race/ethnicity. Our findings underscore the importance of strong parenting practices and parental self-efficacy in protecting against youth intention to smoke and these may be important to target in future interventions.

Context, relationship transitions and conflict: explaining outcomes for Australian youth from non-intact families

As in many other countries, non-traditional family types are increasing in prevalence in Australia. In 2008, over one quarter of Australian families reported a non-intact family structure; comprising over 0.8 million lone-parent families and 0.4 million stepfamilies. Prior studies consistently find poorer child outcomes associated with non-intact family type. Controlling for family characteristics decreases the negative effect; however, in most cases small but unexplained differences remain apparent. The current study examines differences in the outcomes of young adults from four family types—intact, stepfather, stepmother and never-repartnered lone-parent families—on four measures: educational attainment; being suspended from school; regular smoking; and trouble with police. The research uses information from 2,430 matched parent-youth pairs collected in a unique Australian study, the Youth in Focus Survey. This study improves our understanding of the complex interaction between family structure and adolescent well-being by exploiting the full childhood family-relationship history information available in the Survey. Although between-group variations are described, differences are predominantly due to contextual factors associated with disadvantage, more prevalent in families who separate and repartner, rather than family structure in itself. For lone-parent and stepfather families, the number of family transitions since the youth’s birth is also relevant. Parent-youth conflict explained little of the negative association between family structure and youth outcomes above the effect of contextual factors, but operated independently of family structure to affect youth outcomes. Possible reasons for unexplained differences between intact and stepmother families on some measures are discussed.

Psychosocial predictors of somatic symptoms in adolescents of parents with HIV: a six-year longitudinal study

The objective of this study was to identify salient parent and adolescent psychosocial factors related to somatic symptoms in adolescents. As part of a larger intervention study conducted in NewYork, 409 adolescents were recruited from 269 parents with HIV. A longitudinal model predicted adolescent somatization scores six years after baseline assessment. Adolescent somatic symptoms were assessed at baseline and at 3-month intervals for the first two years and then at 6-month intervals using the Brief Symptom Inventory. Baseline data from adolescents and parents were used to predict adolescent somatic symptoms. Variables related to increased adolescent somatic symptoms over six years included being younger and female; an increased number of adolescent medical hospitalizations; more stressful life events; adolescent perception of a highly rejecting parenting style; more parent-youth conflict; no experience of parental death; and parental distress over their own pain symptoms. Our findings extend the literature by virtue of the longitudinal design; inclusion of both parent and child variables in one statistical model; identification of study participants by their potentially stressful living condition rather than by disease or somatic symptom status; and inclusion of serious parental illness and death in the study.

Marital Conflict, Parent-Child Relations, and Youth Maladjustment

Contemporaneous and longitudinal associations among marital conflict, parentchild relationship quality, and youth maladjustment were examined using data from the National Survey of Families and Households.Analyses were based on 551 married families with a child age 5 to 11 years at Wave 1. The concurrent association between marital conflict and youth externalizing problems at both waves was mediated completely at Wave 1 and partially at Wave 2 by harsh discipline and parent-youth conflict. The concurrent association between marital conflict and internalizing problems at both waves was mediated partially through parent-youth conflict. Longitudinal mediating effects were detected through stable marital conflict over 5 years and through its connection with parent-youth conflict. Findings delineate areas of specificity and stability in marital conflict processes as children transition from middle childhood through adolescence.