Disrupting Intergenerational Continuity in Harsh and Abusive Parenting: The Importance of a Nurturing Relationship With a Romantic Partner

Abstract

Purpose Harsh, abusive and rejecting behavior by parents toward their children is associated with increased risk for many developmental problems for youth. Earlier research also shows that children raised by harsh parents are more likely to treat their own children harshly. The present study sought to identify behaviors of romantic partners that might help break this intergenerational cycle of child mistreatment. Methods Data come from the Family Transitions Project, a 22-year, 3-generation study of a cohort of over 500 early adolescents (G2) grown to adulthood. During adolescence, observers rated G1 harsh parenting to G2. Several years later observers rated G2 harsh parenting toward their oldest child (G3). In addition, G2's romantic partner (spouse or cohabiting) was rated by observers on a range of behaviors expected to affect G2 harsh parenting. Results Romantic partner warmth and positive communication with G2 were associated with less G2 harsh parenting toward G3 (a direct effect) and when these partner behaviors were high, there was no evidence of intergenerational continuity from G1 to G2 harsh parenting. When the partner was low on warmth and communication, intergenerational continuity in harsh parenting significantly increased. G1 harsh parenting slightly decreased the likelihood that G2 would select a positive spouse. Conclusions Romantic partner warmth, support and positive communication appear to provide interpersonal nurturance that disrupts continuity in parental mistreatment of children. As appropriate, preventive interventions should include a focus on spousal or partner behaviors in their educational or treatment programs.

Struggling with one’s own parenting after an upbringing with substance abusing parents

“…In other studies, factors that influence the development of positive parenting skills for resilient children include the presence of a sensitive mother, the development of social competence, and the establishment of satisfactory love-relationships (Conger, Schofield, Neppl, & Merrick, 2013; Raby, Steele, Carlson, & Sroufe, 2015). …”

Gene‐environment correlations in the cross‐generational transmission of parenting: Grandparenting moderates the effect of child 5‐HTTLPR genotype on mothers' parenting

“…For instance, multiple longitudinal studies have found that individuals whose own parents were harsh, rejecting, uncaring, or controlling are more likely to parent their own children in a similar manner (e.g., Belsky, Jaffee, Sligo, Woodward, & Silva, 2005; Conger, Schofield, Neppl, & Merrick, 2013; Friesen, Woodward, Horwood, & Fergusson, 2013; Kovan, Chung, & Sroufe, 2009; Neppl, Conger, Scaramella, & Ontai, 2009). However, despite the robustness of these findings, not all parents treat their children the way their own parents treated them.…”

“…Such a possibility could occur if genetic variants shape the context of parental care in ways that render parents more likely to rely on parental care they themselves received as a model. Only a handful of studies have examined variables that interact with the intergenerational transmission of parenting, finding that the age at which the parents had children (Belsky, Hancox, Sligo, & Poulton, 2012), marital quality and the level of support and nurturance from the spouse toward the parent (Conger, Schofield, Neppl, & Merrick, 2013; Wang et al, 2014), and the spouse’s parenting of the child (Conger, Schofield, & Neppl, 2012) interact with the parenting received by participants in predicting their own parenting behavior. Evidence also suggests the nurturing behaviours of others in the parent’s life (Jaffee et al, 2013; Schofield et al, 2013), and the child’s gender interact with the parenting received by participants in predicting their own parenting, although these findings are mixed (see Conger et al, 2009).…”

The interpersonal antecedents of supportive parenting: A prospective, longitudinal study from infancy to adulthood.

“…Competence within the peer group reflects the formation of social skills—such as empathy, perspective-taking, and conflict resolution—that are thought to be fundamental for close relationships during adulthood, including the parent-child relationship (Collins & van Dulman, 2006; Hartup, 1996; Sroufe, Egeland, Carlson, & Collins, 2005a). In addition, adults’ romantic relationships are thought to serve several, overlapping functions that are relevant to the task of providing supportive parental care, including providing opportunities to practice providing and receiving care for others, regulating positive and negative emotions that may carry over into the parent-child relationship, buffering the adult from stresses emanating from outside the family, and modeling parental behavior as a co-parent (Ainsworth, 1989; Belsky & Jaffee, 2006; Conger, Schofield, & Neppl, 2012; Conger, Schofield, Neppl, & Merrick, 2013; Grych, 2002; Krishnakumar & Buehler, 2000). Indeed, longitudinal investigations have provided evidence that individuals’ experiences with both peers and romantic partners may mediate the intergenerational continuities in positive parenting (Caspi & Elder, 1988; Chen & Kaplan, 2001; Chen, Liu, & Kaplan, 2008; Kerr et al, 2009; Shaffer et al, 2009).…”