Mapping developmental changes in perceived parent-adolescent relationship quality throughout middle school and high
Ashley M Ebbert1, Frank J Infurna1, Suniya S Luthar1
1Arizona State University.
Development and Psychopathology
|October 26, 2018
Summary
Adolescent relationship quality with parents declines from middle to high school, especially for girls. Declining trust and increasing alienation correlate with higher anxiety and depression in adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Mental Health
- Family Studies
Background:
- Parent-adolescent relationships are crucial during adolescence.
- Understanding longitudinal changes in these relationships is vital for mental health.
- Gender differences in relationship quality and mental health outcomes require investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in adolescents' perceived relationship quality with mothers and fathers from middle school to high school.
- To investigate gender differences in these relationship dynamics.
- To assess the association between relationship quality changes and mental health consequences (anxiety, depression).
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study using data from the New England Study of Suburban Youth cohort (n = 262).
- Annual assessments from Grade 6 to Grade 12.
- Analysis of perceived relationship quality (alienation, trust, communication) and mental health outcomes.
Main Results:
- Perceived alienation increased, while trust and communication decreased for both parents from middle to high school, with greater changes observed in girls.
- Girls reported higher initial closeness, trust, and communication with mothers compared to boys.
- Adolescents experiencing increased alienation and decreased trust showed higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms in high school, with girls reporting higher anxiety overall.
Conclusions:
- Parent-adolescent relationship quality significantly declines during adolescence, particularly for girls.
- Specific patterns of relationship deterioration are linked to increased risk for adolescent anxiety and depression.
- Findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support adolescent mental health by addressing parent-child relationship dynamics.
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