NCJ Number
215395
Journal
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Dated: August 2006 Pages: 603-615
Date Published
August 2006
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to extend previous research by clarifying the specific predictive value of degrading parenting for adolescent internalizing and conduct problems.
Abstract
In an attempt to increase the understanding about the effects of degrading parenting behavior in adolescence, the results of this study suggest that mothers’ degrading parenting is associated with risk for internalizing and conduct problems, regardless of adolescent gender or ethnicity (White and Mexican-American decent). Families characterized by mothers’ degrading parenting were more likely to have mother-adolescent conflict, which, in turn was associated with higher-risk for adolescent internalizing problems. However, perceived maternal support and avoidant coping were found to be mediators of degrading parenting’s relation to internalizing problems. These findings add to the literature by identifying the unique predictive value of mother’s degrading parenting behaviors for adolescent internalizing, as well as a mediational pathway by which degrading affects adolescent outcomes. Previous research studies have shown associations between degrading parenting and adolescent internalizing symptoms. In using a specific measure of degrading parenting that avoided overlap with physical abuse, this study proposed three mediators of degrading parenting’s association with internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Participants in the study consisted of 232 adolescents, ranging in age from 11 to 15 years, and their mothers. Of the 232 participants, 62 were White and 170 were Mexican-American. Tables, figures and references