Family Transitions in Cohabiting Families: a Longitudinal Investigation of the Role of Parent Depressive Symptoms in Youth Problem Behaviors

Abstract

Cohabiting family structures are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States but are less stable than married family unions. In this longitudinal study we examine the change in psychosocial adjustment of adolescents when a non-biologically related male cohabiting partner (MCP) transitions out of the family home. Of particular interest, the role of maternal and MCP depressive symptoms was examined as a moderator. At wave 1, the sample was comprised of 111 low-income urban Black families, consisting of an adolescent (42.3% male; Mage= 13), a biological mother, and a non-biologically-related male cohabiting partner (MCP). Wave 2 and 3 assessments occurred over the course of the subsequent 29 months, with 38% of MCPs transitioning out of the home. We used latent growth curve modeling to characterize trajectories of youth internalizing and externalizing symptom change across the 3 waves. Both maternal and MCP depressive symptoms interacted with whether a transition occurred, consistent with the notion that adolescent problem behaviors are shaped by the dynamic interplay of individual- and family-characteristics.

Cohabitation and single mothering in the United States: A review and call for psychological research.

“…Because social fathers have no legal ties to their partner' s children, they may lose all access to the child following cohabitation dissolution, which could lead to poorer child well-being. Parent, Peisch, Forehand, Golub, and Reid (2017) found that when social fathers transitioned out of the family, adolescents experienced elevated internalizing problems. Further, when the social father was depressed and subsequently transitioned out of the family, the adolescents experienced elevated externalizing problems (Parent et al, 2017).…”

“…Parent, Peisch, Forehand, Golub, and Reid (2017) found that when social fathers transitioned out of the family, adolescents experienced elevated internalizing problems. Further, when the social father was depressed and subsequently transitioned out of the family, the adolescents experienced elevated externalizing problems (Parent et al, 2017).…”