JOURNAL OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY

Parental warmth and parent-child conflict among U.S. Latinx families in middle childhood
Son D, Updegraff KA, Umaña-Taylor AJ and Feinberg ME
Grounded in family systems theory and using latent profile analysis, the present study examined (a) patterns of parent-child warmth and parent-child conflict within multiple dyads (mother-older child, mother-younger child, father-older child, father-younger child) among 305 U.S. Latinx families with fifth graders ( = 10.6; 46.6% female) and younger siblings ( = 8.20; 47.2% female) and (b) tested links of profile membership with child academic competence, negative peer relationships, and depressive symptoms. Two profiles were characterized by differential maternal and paternal warmth toward older versus younger siblings, with one of the profiles characterized by higher levels of conflict than the other, and a third profile included families where parent-child dyads were similar in their levels of moderately high warmth and low conflict. Profile membership was concurrently linked with children's academic competence, peer relationships, and depressive symptoms, with notable within-family differences for older versus younger siblings. Findings underscore the value of studying families as interrelated subsystems by capturing multiple dimensions of two children's relationships with mothers and fathers and provide insights for family-based prevention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Who is in control? Longitudinal connections between marital power and parental psychological control
Forbush A, Wikle J, LeBaron-Black AB and Bean RA
The present study explored longitudinal associations between marital power dynamics and parental psychological control and tested whether partners' sense of relational autonomy mediated these connections. Self-determination theory supports that harmful marital dynamics may spill into parenting practices, such as engaging in parental psychological control, and that parents' autonomy may mediate connections. Using an actor-partner interdependence model and an actor-partner interdependence mediation model, this study examined direct associations between marital power and parental psychological control, as well as indirect associations with autonomy as a mediator. Longitudinal dyadic data of 321 married, two-parent families were drawn from three waves of the Flourishing Families Project collected annually from 2009 to 2011. Results indicated that wives' perceptions of a power struggle in the marriage were associated with both partners' greater parental psychological control concurrently and were predictive of increases in their own parental psychological control across the span of 1 year. Although notable connections were found between marital power and autonomy, autonomy did not mediate pathways to parental psychological control. These findings highlight the importance of marital functioning in the use of certain parenting practices and suggest marital power as a potential intervention point when psychological control of children is present. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Neighborhood assets, parenting, and child disruptive behavior in low-income Black families
Buthman A, Janisse H, Lawler JM, Jefferson S and Glownia K
Neighborhood assets, such as access to recreational facilities, density of residence, and safety, were examined in relation to parenting and disruptive behavior in early childhood. Examining data from a low-income Black preschool sample, this study investigated how self-reported neighborhood assets and observed parenting behaviors interactively predict observed disruptive behavior in children. Findings revealed a significant relationship between parenting and child behavior, where parenting with high sensitivity and engagement and parenting with less verbal and physical interference and intrusiveness predicted fewer child disruptive behaviors. There was also a significant interaction between neighborhood assets and parenting behaviors on child disruptive behavior, in which nonoptimal parenting behaviors predicted child disruptive behaviors to a greater degree in neighborhoods with fewer assets. On the other hand, optimal parenting was protective of child outcomes under conditions of fewer assets, above and beyond parenting in neighborhoods with greater assets. Few studies have examined this complex relationship between the neighborhood, parenting, and child disruptive behavior with the use of self-report and observational measures utilized in this study. Furthermore, few studies have examined this relationship within such a high-risk preschool sample. Given these findings, there is a need to improve neighborhoods to better support families. Additionally, clinicians may need to be more attentive to the effects of parenting and neighborhood assets on disruptive behavior in early childhood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Longitudinal trajectories of maternal depression are associated with maternal and child problematic media use
Shawcroft J, Gale M, Van Alfen M, Christensen-Duerden C, Holmgren HG and Coyne SM
This study uses a family systems and differential susceptibility framework to examine the association between postpartum media ecosystems, trajectories of maternal depression, and problematic media use in mothers and children ( = 501) in the United Sates over a 5-year period. Three classes of trajectories of maternal depression were identified: and . Results indicate that different classes of trajectories of maternal depression demonstrated differing levels of maternal problematic media use at Wave 1 and differing levels of both mother and child problematic media use at Wave 5. This family perspective provides a deeper understanding of how media ecosystems are connected to family-level processes and problematic media use for mothers and children. Findings suggest the need for better support of new mothers at a systemic level to support mothers' mental health and the healthy development of children's early relationship with media and technology. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Stressful family life events and father involvement in Korean children's sociobehavioral health
Han S, Palermo F and Rudy D
We examined the longitudinal associations between stressful family life events at 4 years of age and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors at 7 years of age, whether family functioning and parental warmth (i.e., mothers' warmth, fathers' warmth) mediated those associations, and whether the associations varied by fathers' involvement in Korean families. Participants were 1,703 families, including mothers ( = 34 years; = 3.70 years), fathers ( = 37 years; = 3.97 years), and children ( = 51 months; = 1.22 months) from the Panel Study on Korean Children. Results revealed that stressful family life events were positively associated with children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors but not via family functioning and parental warmth. Family functioning and mothers' warmth successively mediated the association between father involvement and children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Father involvement moderated the association between stressful family life events and children's externalizing behaviors. The findings highlight that father involvement may play a protective role in children's externalizing behaviors when Korean families experience stressful situations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Parent-child discrepancies in reports of child psychosocial functioning in neurofibromatosis type 1
Al Ghriwati N, Little P, Martin S, Tamula MA, Widemann BC and Wolters PL
Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at an increased risk for social-emotional difficulties. These difficulties, including depression and anxiety, are typically measured through parental report of child functioning in research and rarely have children with NF1 rated their own well-being. Discrepancies between parent proxy- and child self-report of psychosocial functioning in other populations have been shown to relate to socioemotional problems and distress. This study examined the concordance of parent proxy- and child self-report of child behavioral and social-emotional functioning on selected Behavior Assessment System for Children-Second Edition subscales in families of children with NF1 and plexiform neurofibroma tumors (pNFs). We also sought to explore possible child, family, and community factors relating to discrepancies in reporting for youth with NF1 and pNFs. Overall, parents reported higher symptoms across psychosocial domains (anxiety, depression, and atypicality) in comparison to their children. Furthermore, characteristics like child sex, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnosis, and family functioning significantly predicted differences in ratings of child functioning. These findings indicate that multi-informant studies are crucial to understanding multiple perspectives among family members in symptom-reporting and risk factors for these discrepancies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Group-based versus individual parenting programs: A meta-analysis of effects on parents
Mathijs L, Van Petegem S, Melendez-Torres GJ, Backhaus S, Gardner F and Leijten P
Parenting programs aim to motivate change in parents' behaviors, perceptions, and knowledge to promote desirable changes in children's adjustment and behavior. Parenting programs are typically delivered in a group-based or individual format, and it is unknown which format most effectively supports parents. On the one hand, group-based programs may be more effective since they provide access to peer-based support. On the other hand, individual programs may be more successful since they offer a tailored approach. Therefore, this meta-analysis investigated which delivery format is most effective in optimizing child behavior management (i.e., positive reinforcement and nonviolent discipline), parenting stress, and parental depressive symptoms. Studies were selected from the systematic review by Backhaus et al. (2023). Our sample included evaluations of 121 group-based and 41 individual programs based on social learning theory principles. Robust variance estimation indicated that parents' child behavior management and parenting stress improved in both delivery formats. In contrast, parental depressive symptoms improved only in group-based programs. Our findings suggest that whether parents benefit more from a group-based or individual program in part depends on the outcome examined. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to understand parents' goals to effectively guide them toward the most appropriate parenting program delivery format. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Parents' perception of children's behaviors, self-compassion, and parenting stress: Actor-partner interdependence model
Chen T, Xie R, Yang Q, Li W and Ding W
This study explores how self-compassion mediates the relations between parents' perceptions of children's behaviors and parenting stress, as well as interactions between parents. We conducted a longitudinal actor-partner interdependence mediation model and assessed parents' perceptions of children's behaviors, self-compassion, and parenting stress. A total of 656 pairs of parents (fathers' = 34.96 years, = 5.62; mothers' = 33.13 years, = 5.77) participated in the study. Results revealed that parents' perceptions of children's problem behavior affected their own parenting stress through their self-compassion. Additionally, parents' perceptions of children's prosocial behavior directly influenced their own parenting stress and also affected it through self-compassion in both parents. Parents' perceptions of children's problem behavior directly influenced their partner's parenting stress and also indirectly through their own self-compassion. Similarly, parents' perceptions of children's prosocial behavior affected their partner's parenting stress via self-compassion in both parents. The findings highlighted the importance of parents recognizing and valuing their children's positive behaviors, thereby fostering a constructive "child effect" that improved the dynamics of the parental subsystem. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Long-term effects of changes in coparenting quality during the COVID-19 pandemic
Conway CA and Feinberg M
This study examines changes in coparenting quality during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term parent, child, and family well-being. Although there is clear evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted families, less is known about family resilience factors that could mitigate this impact. Understanding whether positive coparenting quality is a protective factor during crises is important for promoting parent, child, and family well-being. The study collected data from 150 parents who participated in a transition-to-parenthood intervention trial 10 years prior. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine the association between changes in coparenting quality from before the pandemic (Time 1) to the early stage of the pandemic (Time 2) with parent, child, and family adjustment 19 months later (Time 3). Moderation effects were also explored. Over half of parents reported a decline in coparenting relationship quality between Time 1 and Time 2 while about one third reported an improvement. A more positive change in coparenting was associated with better parent and family adjustment at Time 3. Moderation analyses showed that positive changes in coparenting were associated with fewer internalizing symptoms for female children and, for families with younger children, increased positive and decreased negative parenting behaviors. These findings support the idea that positive coparenting can serve as a resilience factor during times of crisis. Practitioners working with families in crisis should consider incorporating coparenting interventions and strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Retraction of "Home visiting impacts during the pandemic: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial of Child First" by Xia et al. (2023)
Xia S, Hefyan M, McCormick MP, Goldberg M, Swinth E and Huang S
Reports the retraction of "Home visiting impacts during the pandemic: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial of child first" by Samantha Xia, Mervett Hefyan, Meghan P. McCormick, Maya Goldberg, Emily Swinth and Sharon Huang (, 2023[Aug], Vol 37[5], 569-580). This article is being retracted at the request of the publisher, and the editor and all authors of the original article consented. The MDRC study team identified two caregivers who were enrolled at baseline but were, themselves, minors. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2023-81526-001.) Existing research has found that home visiting programs for families with young children can improve children's development and strengthen caregiver and family well-being. However, the pandemic created numerous challenges for home visiting programs, forcing them to deliver services online or in a hybrid format to respond to pandemic-related challenges. Questions remain about the impacts of these programs when delivered at-scale via a hybrid model, especially during this uniquely challenging time. The present study reports 12-month impacts from a randomized controlled trial of Child First-an evidence-based home visiting program that provides psychotherapeutic, parent-child intervention (children ages 0-5) embedded in a coordinated system of care-when implemented as a hybrid service. This study estimates impacts within four domains: families' receipt of services, caregiver psychological well-being and parenting, child behavior, and family economic well-being. After randomly assigning families ( = 226) to receive Child First or typical community services, the research team surveyed caregivers ( = 183) about a year after study enrollment. Results from regression models with site fixed effects revealed suggestive evidence that Child First reduced caregivers' job loss, residential mobility, and self-reported substance abuse, and increased receipt of virtual services during the pandemic. There were null impacts on caregivers' psychological well-being, families' involvement with the child welfare system, children's behaviors, and other indicators of economic well-being. Implications for future research and policy are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Kenyans' perspectives on parenting roles and strategies used to raise young children in Kenya
Shanley JR, Mutiso V, Musyimi C, Armistead L, Olumbe R, Ishiekwene MN and Ndetei D
Research and parenting programs across the world emphasize two dimensions of parenting: warmth and control. Cross-country literature demonstrates many commonalities across samples on warmth; however, differences are evident with control, largely due to cultural and contextual nuances. Scant literature exists on parenting in Kenya, where half of Kenyans report experiencing child maltreatment typically by parents. Kenyan culture is a unique developmental niche important to understand and inform policies and parenting program development to reduce maltreatment. The purpose of this study was to understand perspectives on parenting strategies with young children, from a sample of Kenyans with varying experiences involving children (e.g., parents, community members). To our knowledge, this study is the first qualitative assessment of parenting practices among children under age 6 in Kenya. The 91 participants (62% female, all ≥ 18 years) completed interviews or focus groups. Based on a thematic data analysis, five themes emerged: (a) parental roles, (b) expressions of warmth, (c) cultural practices with children, (d) control strategies, and (e) factors impacting effective parenting. This study's findings have several implications for both informal and formal supports of families with young children. The findings offer insight into how Kenyans engage in parental warmth and control strategies, including those that are seen as culturally acceptable or harmful, and can inform the development or adaptation of parenting programs for Kenya. Furthermore, these findings offer important considerations for local and federal leaders in how to advance Kenya's policies and efforts to reduce childhood violence and promote healthy child development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Grandparent support moderates the relation between socioeconomic status and children's cognitive development
Tompkins V and Feng X
Grandparents support American families in many ways, but they have often been overlooked in research on typical families (e.g., parents raising children). We examined whether grandparents have a positive influence on children's development by buffering the relation between parents' socioeconomic status (SES) and children's cognitive development. Parents ( = 437) from 45 U.S. states reported on 1,047 grandparent relationships with their 3- to 5-year-old children ( = 4.18 years) and how helpful grandparents are regarding financial, instrumental, emotional, and informational support, which were summed together across all grandparent relationships. We found that SES (a composite of family income and parents' average education) was significantly related to preschoolers' cognitive development (a composite of receptive and expressive language, literacy, and numbers). However, this relation was weaker when grandparents provided a higher level of support. Most families received grandparent support of basic child needs (e.g., clothing) and educational resources that could contribute to children's cognitive development (e.g., books). Grandparents provided greater financial, instrumental, emotional, and informational support to parents when they were emotionally close to the grandchild and interacted frequently. However, only emotional support was related to the geographical distance to the grandchild. These results suggest that even in parent-led American families, grandparents play a supportive, buffering role against the potential negative effects of lower SES on children's cognitive development. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Development of a family-level intervention for families with transgender and/or nonbinary youth: Lessons and recommendations
Katz-Wise SL, Godwin EG, Medzhitova Y, Moore LBM, Parsa N, Hill A, Oparah N, Bogart LM, Rosal MC, Pullen Sansfaçon A, Ehrensaft D, Nishman MM and Austin SB
Family support plays an important role in promoting resilience and health among transgender and/or nonbinary youth (TNBY), but family members often experience barriers to supporting their TNBY, including minority-adjacent stress stemming from exposure to structural stigma and antitransgender legislation. TNBY and their families need effective family-level interventions developed using community-based participatory research (CBPR), which integrates community members (e.g., TNBY, family members, service providers for families with TNBY) into the intervention development process to ensure the resulting intervention is relevant and useful. Informed by findings from the Trans Teen and Family Narratives Project, we used CBPR to develop the Trans Teen and Family Narratives Conversation Toolkit, a family-level intervention designed to educate families about TNBY and facilitate conversations about gender. The toolkit was developed across 1.5 years (June 2019 to January 2021) using four integrated phases: (1) content development: digital storytelling workshop with TNBY; (2) content review: digital storyteller interviews and user focus groups; (3) content development: study team content synthesis and website development; and (4) content review: website review by TNBY, family members, and mental health providers, and intervention refinement. This article outlines the intervention development process, describes strategies employed to navigate challenges encountered along the way, and shares key learnings to inform future CBPR intervention development efforts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Changes in Latinx parenting behaviors during adolescence: Variation by neighborhood characteristics
Zhao C, White RMB, Kho C and Roche KM
General parenting research indicates parenting shifts, such as declines in parental warmth, parent-child conflict, and parental monitoring and increases in parental autonomy support, as youth progress through adolescence. Culturally and contextually informed scholarship, however, acknowledges that stability and change in parenting behaviors among ethnically and racially minoritized families and across different neighborhood environments may follow distinct patterns. Neighborhood structural disadvantages might disrupt parenting, and parents might adapt parenting in response to neighborhood opportunities and challenges. This study explored stability and change in parenting processes (e.g., conflict, warmth, control, solicitation, autonomy support) from early to middle adolescence among Latinx families across neighborhoods that varied on key characteristics: concentrated poverty, ethnic concentration, and ethnic-racial diversity. Data derived from the "Caminos" study, which utilized an accelerated longitudinal design of 547 Latinx adolescents ( = 13.31 years; 55.4% girls; 89.6% U.S. born). Two-level growth models were used to analyze 10 time points of data following adolescents from Spring of sixth to Fall of 11th grade. Parent-adolescent conflict and warmth declined linearly; parental solicitation showed a curvilinear increase that flattened over time; parental behavioral control and autonomy support remained stable. Some parenting trajectories varied systematically by neighborhood structural characteristics. This study underscored the significance of culturally and contextually informed frameworks for understanding changes in Latinx parenting during offspring adolescence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Parental anxiety symptoms, parenting confidence, and family functioning following a youth's hospitalization for suicide risk
Harris KM, Feeken MC, Huntt JS, Fry AB, Seibel LF, Wolff JC and Esposito-Smythers C
The posthospitalization period following a youth's psychiatric emergency is characterized by marked risk for suicide attempts and rehospitalization. Parental anxiety and uncertainty about parenting strategies may become particularly salient during this period due to fear of youth relapse. These parental factors, then, may negatively impact family functioning, a factor known to mitigate suicide risk. The present study tested a theoretical model to elucidate the relationship between parenting factors and family functioning during this transition period, specifically, whether parental anxiety symptoms and parenting confidence are related and contribute to family functioning longitudinally following youth psychiatric hospitalization. The sample included 147 adolescents and a primary caregiver enrolled in a clinical trial. At baseline (BL) and 6 months (M6), caregivers completed measures of global anxiety symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory) and parenting confidence (Parenting Relationship Questionnaire). Observer-rated family problem solving and limit setting were assessed (Family Assessment Task) at BL and 12 months (M12). These two measures of family functioning were included in separate path analyses that examined the temporal relations between constructs. After accounting for demographics, BL levels of parenting variables, BL youth functioning, and the presence or absence of youth suicide attempts during follow-up, BL parenting confidence negatively predicted M6 parent anxiety in both models. Additionally, M6 parenting confidence positively predicted M12 problem solving and limit setting. Bidirectional relations between parenting confidence and global anxiety were not supported, nor did global anxiety predict family functioning. Findings suggest that specifically addressing parenting confidence in youth treatment may be beneficial to support family adjustment, particularly following crises. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
"Everyone blames you": Stigma and caregiver burden among parents of children with substance use disorder
Kaynak Ö, Whipple CR, Burma R, Verdia S, Sturges N, Saylor E and Kensinger WS
Recent increases in drug overdose deaths have created a significant public health crisis in the United States. Individuals diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) often rely on their social support network as they engage in treatment and recovery. While support from parents, in particular, can be vital in recovery, stress associated with supporting loved ones with SUD can have detrimental effects on health and well-being. Stigma toward parents and loved ones further complicates the support they can offer. The present study explores caregiver burden and stigma experienced by parents of children with SUD. The impact of these experiences on their ability to access support and resources, both for themselves and their children, is of particular interest. In-depth one-on-one interviews were conducted with 25 parents (92% mothers) of children (ages 17-32 years old) with SUD. Qualitative thematic analysis resulted in three themes: (1) caregiving and associated burden, (2) parent experiences with SUD stigma, and (3) impact of stigma on caregiver support. Experiences of burden and stigma were prevalent; parents reported stigma directed at them due to their child's diagnosis (associative stigma) as well as psychological distress they experienced witnessing their children experience stigma (vicarious stigma). Fear of judgment and shame led parents to avoid disclosing their child's SUD to others and impeded help-seeking behavior. When parents did seek formal help, resources were limited and insufficient. The findings underscore the need for increased understanding and acceptance from the community, emphasizing the potential role of education in reshaping perceptions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Dyadic investigations of past traumatic events and affectionate touch frequency in couples
Ergun TD, Durbin KB, Seefeld L, Buyukcan-Tetik A and Debrot A
Past traumatic events negatively affect romantic relationships, yet their impact on affectionate touch, an important predictor of psychological and relational well-being, remains unknown. In two preregistered studies with nonclinical samples, we hypothesized that traumatic events are negatively associated with affectionate touch frequency for both the victim (i.e., actor effect) and their romantic partner (i.e., partner effect). We also expected this negative link to be stronger for the people perceiving relatively low responsiveness and/or high insensitivity in their partner. We used secondary data from 70 Swiss couples in Study 1 and collected data online from 441 couples living in the United States or United Kingdom in Study 2. All couples were heterosexual, and both studies were dyadic and cross-sectional. Unlike our hypotheses, analyses with Actor-Partner Interdependence Models revealed no negative associations between past traumatic events and affectionate touch. In Study 1, we found no significant actor effects but small-sized positive partner effects of men's traumatic events on women's affectionate touch frequency. In Study 2, however, two out of three actor effects and one partner effect were positive with negligible to small sizes. Neither perceived partner responsiveness nor insensitivity had a moderating role. The association between past traumatic experiences and affectionate touch was inconsistently nonsignificant or positive but consistently nonnegative across our two studies. Our research demonstrated that past traumatic events did not inhibit individuals from expressing love and care to their partner through affectionate touch in our sample, even for varying levels of perceived partner responsiveness (insensitivity). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Future parenthood ideas among child-free LGBTQ+ adults: The roles of stigma and LGBTQ+ community connections
Cashen KK, Simon KA and Farr RH
Although a growing body of research has documented parenting desires and intentions among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and more identities (LGBTQ+) individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals also experience stigmatization and barriers to family formation. The present study examines how experiences of stigmatization are related to thoughts of future parenthood (i.e., parenting desires, parenting intentions, and LGBTQ+ parent socialization self-efficacy) among child-free LGBTQ+ adults. Additionally, we examined the role of connection to the LGBTQ+ community in moderating associations with stigma and in statistically predicting LGBTQ+ parent socialization self-efficacy. Participants ( = 433) reported on their thoughts about future parenthood, experiences of stigmatization, and LGBTQ+ community connection though an online cross-sectional survey. Results from multigroup path analysis showed that greater experiences of stigmatization were associated with greater parenting desires for cisgender women and greater parenting intentions across sexual and gender identity groups. Associations between stigma and parenting intentions were moderated by community connection, such that the positive association between stigma and parenting intentions was only significant at high levels of community connection. Finally, greater community connection was positively associated with LGBTQ+ parent socialization self-efficacy, but socialization self-efficacy was not associated with parenting desires or intentions. These findings suggest that connection to the LGBTQ+ community may play a role in thoughts about future parenthood for child-free LGBTQ+ individuals, especially among those who experience stigmatization. Clinicians and family practitioners can consider facilitating connections to the community as a way of supporting LGBTQ+ individuals who are interested in family formation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Interparental conflict spillover: Examining parental depression risk pathways
Lee J, Sloan CJ, Fredman SJ and Fosco GM
Spillover from interparental conflict (IPC) to the parent-child relationship is a risk factor for adolescent emotional, social, and behavioral maladjustment. Parental depression increases the risk for more frequent and intense IPC over periods of months to years, but relatively little is known about whether parental depressive symptoms increase the risk for IPC and/or the propensity for spillover on short timescales. Using daily diary methods, we tested two hypotheses to evaluate whether parental depressive symptoms predict increased risk for IPC spillover: (a) a , in which higher levels of parental depressive symptoms are associated with a greater tendency to experience IPC, which elevates risk for spillover, and (b) a , in which parental depressive symptoms strengthen the within-person linkage between daily couple conflict and poorer parent-adolescent relations. We analyzed data from 150 adolescents and caregivers from two-caregiver families who completed baseline and 21-day daily diary surveys. Consistent with a stress generation hypothesis, parents who were higher in baseline depressive symptoms reported higher levels of IPC over 21 days. At the daily level, there was evidence of spillover from IPC to higher parent-adolescent conflict and lower parent-adolescent closeness, but there was no evidence for increased propensity for spillover by parents' baseline depressive symptoms or daily depressed mood. Rather, there was a direct association between higher daily parental depressed mood and poorer daily parent-adolescent relationship quality (lower closeness, higher conflict). Ameliorating parental depressive symptoms may improve parent-adolescent relationship quality directly, as well as indirectly by decreasing the risk for IPC. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Revision of the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale (MAPS) in an ethnoracially diverse national sample
Rodriguez VJ, Shaffer AE and Parent J
Parenting predicts a wide range of developmental outcomes. Thus, improved assessment of parenting has critical implications for screening into services, identifying additional needs during interventions, and monitoring intervention progress. While there is rising interest in family research focusing on racial and ethnic diversity, there is an unmet need for valid, reliable, and equitable assessments of parenting in racially and ethnically diverse populations. The Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale (MAPS) is a measure of parenting with strong psychometric properties. Despite its high utility, the MAPS is limited in that it was developed in a predominantly White sample (87%). Yet, minoritized racial and ethnic groups currently comprise 40% of the U.S. population. Therefore, this project extended the utility of the MAPS to racially and ethnically diverse families by (a) refining MAPS items using = 100 cognitive interviews with parents from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds to enhance racial and ethnic representation, (b) quantitatively establishing the Revised MAPS factor structure, and (c) assessing reliability, validity, and measurement invariance by race and ethnicity among = 1,699 parents (25.2% non-Hispanic White, 22.2% non-Hispanic Asian, 23.8% non-Hispanic Black, and 25.6% Hispanic). Following revisions guided by cognitive interviews to improve and add items, the factor structure of the MAPS was replicated in the Revised MAPS. Further, measurement invariance, reliability, and validity of the Revised MAPS were partially supported. Using a multimethod approach, this revision increases the utility of the MAPS by extension to this historically underrepresented segment of the U.S. population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
Profiles of young children's home environment and association with their development
Chen Y, Hu BY, Wu H, Chou YJ, LoCasale-Crouch J and Chang CJ
This study aimed to identify profiles of young children's early home environment and explore their association with development in motor, inhibitory control, language, and emotional competence skills. The sample included 2,158 children (51.4% male), 35.47 months old on average. Four home environment profiles emerged: high support and high discipline (HS-HD), high support and low discipline (HS-LD), average support and average discipline (AS-AD), and low support and low discipline (LS-LD). Notably, children from higher socioeconomic status (SES) families were more likely to be associated with HS-HD and HS-LD profiles. Girls exhibited a higher likelihood of belonging to the HS-LD profile. Utilizing regression analyses, children showed the highest motor, inhibitory control, language, and emotional competence development when they were in the HS-LD home environment profile. A concerning finding is that high discipline from parents was negatively associated with children's development, despite providing a high-quality physical environment. The text highlights the positive implications of providing a high-quality home learning environment and offers constructive recommendations for improving practice and future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).