Brief report: Agreement between parent and adolescent autonomy expectations and its relationship to adolescent adjustment

While disagreement in autonomy expectations between parents and their adolescent children is normative, it may also compromise adolescent adjustment. This study examines the association between parents' and adolescents' agreement on autonomy expectations by cognitive social domains and adolescent adjustment. A sample of 211 Chilean dyads of adolescents (57% female, M_age = 15.29 years) and one of their parents (82% mothers, M_age = 44.36 years) reported their expectations for the age at which adolescents should decide on their own regarding different issues in their life. Indexes of parent–adolescent agreement on autonomy expectations were estimated for issues of personal and prudential domains. Greater agreement in the prudential than in the personal domain was observed. For boys and girls, higher agreement in adolescent–parent autonomy expectations in the personal domain was associated with lower substance use. A negative association between level of agreement in adolescent–parent autonomy expectations in the prudential domain and externalizing behaviors and substance use was found.     

Mother–Adolescent conflict in African American and European American families: The role of corporal punishment,adolescent aggression,and adolescents' hostile attributions of mothers' intent

The present study examined mothers' use of corporal punishment and adolescents' aggression as predictors of mother–youth conflict during early adolescence. Particular attention was given to the potential mediating role that adolescents' hostile attributions of intent (HAI) regarding mothers' behavior might play in connections between corporal punishment, youth aggression, and mother–adolescent conflict for European American (EA) and African American (AA) youth. Data were collected from 268 12- to 14-year-olds (154 European American; 114 African American; 133 girls; 135 boys) and their mothers over a period of 2 years. Questionnaires completed by both mothers and adolescents were used to assess maternal corporal punishment and adolescent aggression, and interviews concerning hypothetical situations were used to assess adolescent HAI in year one. In both year one and year two mother–adolescent conflict was observed in a laboratory interaction session. Data revealed that adolescent HAI mediated the link between maternal corporal punishment and mother–adolescent conflict for EA, but not AA youth. Adolescents' HAI mediated the link between adolescent aggression and mother–adolescent conflict for both EA and AA families.     

Beliefs in the legitimacy of decision authority among Chinese adolescents and parents: A person-centered approach

The present study examined Chinese parents' and adolescents' beliefs in the legitimacy of decision authority with reference to specific issues from the prudential, conventional, multifaceted, and personal domains. The sample included 698 adolescents aged 12–15 and their parents from southern China. Parents and adolescents reported on their own beliefs respectively. Subgroups of parent and adolescent participants characterized by distinct patterns of beliefs across issues were identified with latent class analyses (LCA). Further, configural frequency analyses (CFA) were conducted to examine the match between parent subgroups and adolescent subgroups. In addition, the LCA-derived subgroups varied across residency status, sibling status, and child gender, and were linked to adolescent depressive symptoms and school misconduct. These associations with external variables provided evidence for the distinctiveness of the latent classes. Results were discussed in light of social domain theory and the socio-historical context where the participants were situated.     

Sleep patterns and psychological functioning in families in northeastern Iran; evidence for similarities between adolescent children and their parents

Sleep and well-being of adolescents and their parents are related, but data from non-Western countries are scarce. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between adolescents' and their parents' sleep patterns and psychological functioning in northeastern Iran.A total of 81 families (81 mothers, 78 fathers, 130 children aged 12–20 years) took part in the study. They individually and separately completed questionnaires related to sleep and psychological functioning.Sleep quality was related within families. Poor sleep among children and parents was related in each case to more depressive symptoms and stress. Mothers' sleep and psychological functioning were more related to adolescent children's sleep and psychological functioning than were those of fathers.Results confirm research showing that adolescent's and parents' sleep and psychological functioning are inter-related. This association holds also true for families in northeastern Iran, suggesting that the association reflects universal features of family functioning.     

The quality of life of ventilator-assisted children

Although an increasing number of ventilator-assisted children are being cared for in the home, few studies in the literature evaluate the resulting quality of life from multiple informant perspectives. A questionnaire was used to gather data on 38 ventilator-assisted children from the children themselves and their caregivers about activities of daily living, measures of independence, and psychological state. The majority (79.4%) of ventilator-assisted children were perceived as either satisfied or very satisfied with how they spent their time, and most (77.1%) were rated as having an excellent or good emotional adjustment to the need for mechanical ventilation. Children older than 12 years were reported to be significantly less satisfied with their daily activities than the younger children, but greater activity levels correlated with greater levels of total satisfaction. A higher total satisfaction did not correlate with the age at onset of assisted ventilation, or the amount of time spent in other activities. Adolescents and primary caregivers had similar responses to most activity and independence parameters on the survey. There were no significant differences in parents' perceptions of the adolescents' emotional status as compared to the adolescents' self-assessment of their emotional status in any parameter.     

Social control and strenuous exercise among late adolescent college students: Parents versus peers as influence agents

In the context of a model of health-related social control, we compared the associations among social control strategies, affective and behavioral reactions, and exercise for parental and peer influence agents. Late adolescent college students (n = 227) completed questionnaires that focused on social control from a parent or a peer who attempted to increase their exercising. Results from this cross-sectional study revealed that most relationships in the model were similar for parent and peer influence agents, however, (a) negative social control was a stronger predictor of reactance among parents than peers; (b) positive affect was a stronger predictor of attempts to change among peers than parents; and (c) positive affect predicted frequency of strenuous exercise only among parents. Decreasing parents' use of negative social control strategies and increasing adolescents' positive affective reactions to parental social control agents may be keys to promoting positive lifestyle changes in late adolescence.     

Rural parents' messages to their adolescent sons and daughters to leave their home communities

The perceptions of 354 seventh and eleventh graders regarding the frequency and nature of their rural parents' messages to them and their closest-in-age sibling to leave their home communities after high school were explored. Survey data showed that almost half (54%) perceived that their parents encouraged them and/or their closest-in-age sibling to leave the area and about 19% of that group reported that their parents' messages to leave were inconsistent between them and their closest sibling. Parents' messages did not differ by youths' sex or age. Consistency of parents' messages between siblings was associated with youths' well-being, family relationship experiences, and future residential preferences. Semi-structured interviews with a subsample of seventh graders and their mothers highlighted parents' and youths' perspectives on parents' messages. This work highlights the familial processes associated with youth future planning and extends the current work on parents' differential treatment of siblings.     

Family and school influences on adolescents' adjustment: The moderating role of youth hopefulness and aspirations for the future

Using a school-based sample of 675 adolescents, this short-term longitudinal investigation examined the relationships among individual, family, and school influences on adolescent adjustment problems. Adolescents' perceptions of school climate and their sense of connectedness to school were negatively associated with conduct problems. A significant interaction between parental academic support and adolescents' academic aspirations was detected for the total sample, boys, and White youth, indicating that parental support serves a protective function against conduct problems for students with low academic expectations. Adolescents' hopefulness, parental academic aspirations, and school connectedness were negatively associated with depression. Adolescents' hopefulness and their academic aspirations moderated associations between both family and school influences on adolescent adjustment with youth gender and race qualifying these interaction effects.     

Associations between the mental health and social networks of children and parents in single-parent families

The parents and children in single-parent families were studied. A group of 39 children ages 9–16 years who had been patients at a child and adolescent psychiatric clinic and a control group with an equal number of children were interviewed together with their single parent regarding social network and mental health. The networks of children and parents in the control group were more similar to each other than the networks of parents and children in the patient group. The crosswise influence of parents’ mental health, children's behavioural disturbances and social networks showed associations between parents’ mental health and children's behavioural disturbances, between parents's social networks and children's behavioural disturbances and between parents’ mental health and their social networks. There was, on the other hand, no association between parents’ mental health and the social networks of their children.     

The relation of objective sleep patterns, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbances in adolescent children and their parents: A sleep-EEG study with 47 families

ObjectivesNumerous studies have shown that the sleep and well-being of children and their parents are closely related. Previous studies have relied on subjective sleep data and have focused mostly on younger preadolescent children. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the relationship between the sleep patterns of adolescents and those of their parents using objective assessment of sleep.MethodsForty-seven families took part in this study. The sample comprised 80 adolescents (age: 16.3 ± 2.0 years; 44 males/36 females), 47 mothers (age: 49.5 ± 4.0 years), and 39 fathers (age: 50.8 ± 5.1 years). All participants individually completed questionnaires related to psychological functioning and sleep. Sleep-EEGs were assessed for all family members in their homes.ResultsAdolescents' and parents' objective sleep patterns were associated. In particular, the sleep continuity and architecture of adolescents and their mothers were strongly related. Additionally, significant relationships between objectively assessed sleep patterns, subjective sleep disturbances, depression scores and family climate held true for equally adolescents and mothers. Also, substantial links were found between adolescents' and parents' subjective sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, and perceived family climate.ConclusionThe present findings document objectively for the first time the existence of relationships between adolescents' sleep and well-being and parents' sleep and well-being. These relationships were apparent regardless of whether subjective or objective sleep data were considered. The overall pattern of results strongly indicates that adolescents' sleep and well-being and family functioning are related.     

Bidirectional associations between perceived parental support for violent and nonviolent responses and early adolescent aggressive and effective nonviolent behaviors

The current study examined bidirectional relations between early adolescents' perceptions of parental support for violent and nonviolent responses to conflict and their aggressive and effective nonviolent behaviors six months later. Data was collected across the sixth and seventh grades for 520 adolescents at three middle schools in the southeastern United States. At baseline, participants were ages 10–14 (M = 11.29). Longitudinal path models showed that perceived parental support for violent responses was negatively associated with effective nonviolent behaviors and positively associated with aggressive behaviors across sixth and seventh grades. Across seventh grade, reciprocal negative relations were found between perceived parental support of nonviolent responses and aggressive behaviors. Effective nonviolent behaviors were positively associated with perceived parental support for nonviolent responses. Study implications include the importance of adolescent perceptions of parental support of violent and nonviolent responses in influencing early adolescents' effective nonviolent and aggressive behavior.     

Warmth and legitimacy beliefs contextualize adolescents' negative reactions to parental monitoring

This study sought to identify conditions under which parents' monitoring behaviors are most strongly linked to adolescents' negative reactions (i.e., feelings of being controlled and invaded). 242 adolescents (49.2% male; M age = 15.4 years) residing in the United States of America reported parental monitoring and warmth, and their own feelings of being controlled and invaded and beliefs in the legitimacy of parental authority. Analyses tested whether warmth and legitimacy beliefs moderate and/or suppress the link between parents' monitoring behaviors and adolescents' negative reactions. Monitoring was associated with more negative reactions, controlling for legitimacy beliefs and warmth. More monitoring was associated with more negative reactions only at weaker levels of legitimacy beliefs, and at lower levels of warmth. The link between monitoring and negative reactions is sensitive to the context within which monitoring occurs with the strongest negative reactions found in contexts characterized by low warmth and weak legitimacy beliefs.     

Predicting school adjustment from multiple perspectives on parental behaviors

Past research supported the importance of parental autonomy support, involvement, and structure for student outcomes. The goal of this study was to test the contribution of these behaviors from mothers and fathers in predicting adolescents' adjustment in school using a multi-informant approach. A sample of 522 adolescents (233 boys, 389 girls), their mothers (n = 535), and fathers (n = 296) participated in the study. Results revealed that parents' self-evaluations explained additional variance in children's school adjustment, over and beyond the contribution of children's evaluation of their parents. Maternal reports on their positive behaviors (autonomy support, involvement, and structure) predicted their child's academic and emotional adjustment while their reported control predicted lower levels of these. Fathers' self-reported positive behaviors predicted academic adjustment while their control predicted lower academic and personal-emotional adjustment. These findings support the importance of multiple assessments of parental behaviors for improving the prediction of adjustment in school.     

Parenting,self-concept,and attitudes about romantic relationships

IntroductionThis study examined associations among the perceived parenting, self-concept, and adolescent attitudes of Chinese adolescents regarding romantic relationships.MethodsA survey of 729 high school students in Macau was carried out to collect information on the degree to which they perceived their fathers and mothers as demanding or responsive, their general self-concept, and their attitudes about romantic relationships.ResultsStructural equation modeling showed that maternal and paternal responsiveness positively associated with adolescents’ self-concept, which then positively contributed to their attitudes about romantic relationships. Maternal demandingness could link directly to positive adolescent attitudes about romantic relationships and indirectly to negative self-concept.ConclusionsThe present study's findings suggest that perceived maternal parenting may be more important than perceived paternal parenting regarding adolescents' romantic attitudes, and parental responsiveness is particularly critical to positive self-concept and positive romantic attitudes in Chinese culture.     

Friendship 2.0: Adolescents' experiences of belonging and self-disclosure online

This study explores the role that digital media technologies play in adolescents' experiences of friendship and identity. The author draws on findings from in-depth interviews with 32 adolescents (15 girls, 17 boys) ages 13–18 (M = 15.5 years) attending one of seven secondary schools in Bermuda. The adolescents were asked to describe the nature of their online exchanges with friends and the value they ascribe to these conversations. A thematic analysis of their responses revealed that online peer communications promote adolescents' sense of belonging and self-disclosure, two important peer processes that support identity development during adolescence. At the same time, the unique features of computer-mediated communication shape adolescents' experiences of these processes in distinct ways. Gender and age differences show that adolescents' online peer communications are not uniform; the characteristics that distinguish adolescents offline also shape their online activities.     

Brief report: Borderline personality symptoms and perceived caregiver criticism in adolescents

Despite findings of an association between adolescent psychopathology and perceived parental criticism, the relation between adolescent borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms and perceived parental criticism has not been examined. Given the centrality of interpersonal sensitivity to BPD (relative to other forms of psychopathology), we hypothesized that adolescent BPD symptoms would be uniquely related to perceived caregiver criticism, above and beyond other forms of psychopathology and general emotion dysregulation. Adolescents (N = 109) in a residential psychiatric treatment facility completed self-report measures of BPD symptoms, perceived caregiver criticism, emotion dysregulation, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Results revealed a unique relation of adolescent BPD symptoms to perceived caregiver criticism, above and beyond age, gender, and other forms of psychopathology. Findings suggest that adolescent BPD symptoms may have unique relevance for adolescents' perceptions of caregivers' attitudes and behaviors, increasing the likelihood of negative perceptions.     

The effect of social feedback from peers on adolescent cognitive control

IntroductionSocial feedback can influence cognitive control during adolescence, particularly if provided by peers. The main aim of this study was to investigate if feedback given by liked or disliked peers differentially influenced adolescents' cognitive control. The second aim was to investigate if these effects could be linked to the participants’ social embeddedness in their classroom.MethodsA personalized incentive go/no-go task was administered to 45 early adolescents (M = 11.6 years, 25 male) and 68 late adolescents (M = 16.7, 38 male) in the Netherlands. Feedback was given after no-go trials in two social feedback conditions (displaying a picture of a real liked or disliked classmate) and in a non-social control condition.ResultsPerformance on the task significantly improved with age. We found no differences between conditions in cognitive control, as measured by d-prime. However, analysis of task speed revealed slower reaction times during the liked peer condition as compared to the disliked peer and the control condition, potentially suggesting that participants responded more cautiously, or alternatively that participants were more distracted. These effects did not differ between age groups. Participants’ differences in task performance were not reflected in their social embeddedness in the classroom.ConclusionsThis study shows that the same kind of social feedback can have different effects on adolescent behaviour depending on the peer delivering the feedback. It demonstrates the importance of studying the effects of real life social environments to better understand and utilize their impact on adolescent development.     

Developmental trajectories of the socioeconomic status of occupational aspirations during adolescence

IntroductionProminent theories of career development suggest age-related changes in adolescents' occupational aspirations. However, little is known about how exactly and to what extent, adolescents' aspirations change, particularly regarding the socioeconomic status (SES) of aspired occupations. We aim at extending our knowledge of the developmental trajectories of the SES of occupational aspirations and potential gender differences in those trajectories.MethodsWe used longitudinal data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS) consisting of a large and representative sample of secondary school students (N = 5,964, 50% females) from Grades 8 to 10 (age 14–16). Data were collected via a paper and pencil survey which was carried out in classrooms.ResultsOur analysis of a latent growth curve model revealed that adolescents experienced small increases in the SES of occupational aspirations from Grades 8 to 10. Multi-group models reveal that females initially aspired to higher-SES occupations and their aspirations exhibited larger growth over time compared to males.ConclusionsOur findings are in line with those from other countries but not with all, indicating some cross-cultural variabilities. Within cultures, the developmental trajectories of the SES of occupational aspirations seem to be similar across age-cohorts in the last 30 years. Despite women aspire to higher-SES occupations during adolescence, they often obtain lower-SES occupations than men in adulthood. Future research is needed to better understand the link between gender differences in the SES of occupational aspirations in adolescence and gender differences in the SES of occupational attainment in adulthood.     

Mother–adolescent monitoring dynamics and the legitimacy of parental authority

This multi-informant longitudinal study aimed to understand whether the family dynamics that underlie adolescent voluntary disclosure regarding their leisure time behavior differs when adolescents strongly or weakly endorse the legitimacy of parental authority. Longitudinal linkages between parental monitoring behaviors and adolescents' secrecy and disclosure were tested among youths with strong and weak legitimacy beliefs. The sample included 197 adolescents (51% female, M age 12 years) and their mothers. Mothers reported on several of their own monitoring efforts (i.e., solicitation, active involvement, observing and listening, and obtaining information from spouses, siblings, and others). Adolescents reported their disclosure, secrecy, and legitimacy beliefs. Only among youths reporting strong legitimacy beliefs, more mother engagement and supervision (indexed by mother-reported active involvement and observing and listening) predicted more adolescent disclosure and less secrecy over time, and more mother solicitation predicted less secrecy.     

The interplay of parental support,parental pressure and test anxiety – Gender differences in adolescents

This study examined gender-specific relationships between adolescents' perceptions of school-related support/pressure from their parents and test anxiety. A sample of German students (N = 845; M_age = 15.32; SD = .49) completed questionnaires that measured their perceived parental support/pressure (for mother and father separately) as well as the four main components of test anxiety (worry, interference, lack of confidence, and emotionality). Gender-specific relations were identified using multigroup structural equation modeling: For girls, perceived maternal pressure was positively associated with emotionality and interference; for boys, perceived father pressure and father support were positively associated with interference and worry, respectively. For both genders, perceived mother pressure and support were related to lack of confidence. Our findings suggest that adolescents' perceptions of maternal attitudes are associated with students' self-confidence irrespective of the child's gender, whereas the remaining facets of test anxiety follow same-sex trajectories between perceived parental attitudes and adolescents' test anxiety.