An examination of the joint effects of adolescent interpersonal styles and parenting styles on substance use

Abstract

The current study examined how parenting and adolescent interpersonal styles jointly influence youths’ abilities to form close relationships – a central developmental milestone – yet avoid substance use, which predominantly occurs in the presence of peers. Nine annual waves from an adolescent sample (N = 387) were used to assess (a) combinations of interpersonal and parenting styles from early to middle adolescence using longitudinal latent profile analysis, (b) the validity of these profiles on indicators of adjustment, and (c) the relationships between the profiles and growth in substance use across adolescence as well as substance-related consequences in late adolescence. The results supported five distinct combinations of interpersonal and parenting styles, and validity analyses identified both risk and protective profiles. The protective profile submissive–communal interpersonal style + high-warmth–authoritative parenting style was associated with indicators of positive social adjustment (e.g., friendship quality, resistance to peer influence) as well as lower levels of substance use. Significant differences also emerged with respect to substance-related consequences. The findings of this study highlight how combinations of adolescent interpersonal style and parenting render adolescents more or less successful at navigating peer relationships while avoiding substance use behaviors.

Reinforcement sensitivity theory and externalizing problems across early adolescence: Testing within-person reciprocal associations.

“…Overall retention across all three Waves was strong, ranging from N = 321 (95%) to N = 331 (98%). Prior work in this sample found no significant differences between those with and without missing data based on demographic and substance use variables (Meisel & Colder, 2022). The low attrition and lack of significant differences suggest that missing data did not substantially impact study findings.…”

Effects of Impulsivity and Interpersonal Problems on Adolescent Depression: A Cross-Lagged Study

“…Individuals with interpersonal problems have difficulties handling relationships with others [21]. For adolescents, interpersonal problems are closely tied to psychological development [22][23][24]. Positive interpersonal relationships provide individuals more channels for obtaining care and assistance, including emotional support, instrumental support, informational support, etc., which helps protect mental health [25].…”

Inclusive Socialization? The Relationships between Parents’ and Their Child’s Attitudes toward Students with Disabilities

“…(b) The literature on the children–parents relationship suggests that a parent–child similarity in attitudes could be expected because young children tend to imitate their parents’ attitudes [ 22 , 29 ]. However, the literature on older children (i.e., late childhood and adolescence) tends to highlight the role of peers over, or at least to the same amount as, the parents’ role in shaping adolescents’ attitudes [ 28 , 30 , 31 ]. Moreover, a moderate level of children–parent disagreement is normative [ 32 ] and, in several terms, is even considered as a positive development outcome [ 33 ].…”