Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
Adverse parenting practices have adverse effects on child outcomes, ranging from
lower academic success (Dornbusch, Ritter, Leiderman, Roberts, & Fraleigh, 1987) to
delinquency behavior (Steinberg, Fletcher & Darling, 1994) to adjustment difficulties
(Shumow & Lomax, 2009). There is considerable evidence linking poor parenting
practices to increases in adolescent adjustment symptoms (e.g. Barnes, Reifman, Farrell,
& Dintcheff, 2000). It is likely that there is an explanatory mechanism driving this
relationship. The current study tests the hypotheses that associations between adverse
parenting behaviors are both directly associated with adjustment problems, and indirectly
associated with maladjustment via changes in self-views.
A staggered cohort longitudinal design was employed that included a total of 453
(215 boys, 238 girls) 9th graders and 464 (231 boys, 233 girls) 10th graders at the first
assessment in spring, 2013. At the onset of the study, adolescents completed scales
describing parental monitoring (Small & Kerns, 1993), parental psychological control (Barber, 1996), and parental connectedness (Arnold, Nott, & Meinhold, 2012).
Adolescents also described indices of self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1965), self-efficacy
(Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995), and adjustment behaviors (Achenbach & Rescorla,
2001).
Results from the direct effects models revealed parenting practices have a direct
effect on adolescent adjustment. Mediation models revealed indirect links between
parenting practices and adolescent adjustment via self-esteem. Greater parental
psychological control and less parental connectedness was linked to decreases in selfesteem
one year later, and lower levels of self-esteem were in turn, associated with
increases in adolescent adjustment problems.
This study provides insight on the impact that parenting practices have on
adolescents both directly and indirectly. Parents should understand that even though
adolescents are seeking autonomy and separation, practicing attentive and meaningful
parenting is just as important during adolescence as it is during any other periods of
development.
lower academic success (Dornbusch, Ritter, Leiderman, Roberts, & Fraleigh, 1987) to
delinquency behavior (Steinberg, Fletcher & Darling, 1994) to adjustment difficulties
(Shumow & Lomax, 2009). There is considerable evidence linking poor parenting
practices to increases in adolescent adjustment symptoms (e.g. Barnes, Reifman, Farrell,
& Dintcheff, 2000). It is likely that there is an explanatory mechanism driving this
relationship. The current study tests the hypotheses that associations between adverse
parenting behaviors are both directly associated with adjustment problems, and indirectly
associated with maladjustment via changes in self-views.
A staggered cohort longitudinal design was employed that included a total of 453
(215 boys, 238 girls) 9th graders and 464 (231 boys, 233 girls) 10th graders at the first
assessment in spring, 2013. At the onset of the study, adolescents completed scales
describing parental monitoring (Small & Kerns, 1993), parental psychological control (Barber, 1996), and parental connectedness (Arnold, Nott, & Meinhold, 2012).
Adolescents also described indices of self-esteem (Rosenberg, 1965), self-efficacy
(Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995), and adjustment behaviors (Achenbach & Rescorla,
2001).
Results from the direct effects models revealed parenting practices have a direct
effect on adolescent adjustment. Mediation models revealed indirect links between
parenting practices and adolescent adjustment via self-esteem. Greater parental
psychological control and less parental connectedness was linked to decreases in selfesteem
one year later, and lower levels of self-esteem were in turn, associated with
increases in adolescent adjustment problems.
This study provides insight on the impact that parenting practices have on
adolescents both directly and indirectly. Parents should understand that even though
adolescents are seeking autonomy and separation, practicing attentive and meaningful
parenting is just as important during adolescence as it is during any other periods of
development.
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