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Maternal, Paternal, and Peer Relationships Differentially Predict Adolescent Behavioral Problems.
Connie M Tang1, Ashlee McCullough1, Rukayat Olunlade1
1Stockton University, 101 Vera King Farris Dr, 08205 Galloway, NJ USA.
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
|February 13, 2023
Summary
Stronger maternal and paternal relationships predict fewer adolescent behavioral problems. Parental bonds remain more influential than peer popularity in predicting adolescent issues during mid-adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Adolescent behavioral problems are a significant concern.
- Understanding the influence of social relationships on adolescent development is crucial.
- Previous research has explored various predictors, but nuanced comparisons between parental and peer influences require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive power of maternal, paternal, and peer social relationships on adolescent behavioral problems.
- To compare the relative strengths of maternal versus paternal relationship quality in predicting behavioral issues.
- To test the hypothesis that parental relationships are more influential than peer relationships in mid-adolescence.
Main Methods:
- Secondary data analysis of the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) dataset.
- Inclusion of 929 adolescents at their 14-year-old assessment.
- Application of hierarchical multiple regressions and multiple regression models to analyze relationship quality and behavioral problems.
Main Results:
- Higher quality maternal relationships predicted fewer externalizing and total behavioral problems.
- Higher quality paternal relationships predicted fewer internalizing problems.
- Peer popularity predicted fewer externalizing and total behavioral problems, but parental relationships showed greater overall predictive importance in mid-adolescence.
Conclusions:
- The mother-adolescent relationship appears particularly vital for externalizing behaviors, while the father-adolescent relationship is more linked to internalizing behaviors.
- Parental relationship quality remains a more significant predictor of adolescent behavioral problems than peer relationships during middle adolescence.
- Findings have implications for targeted interventions and support systems for adolescents and families.
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