Family Variation in Parent-Adolescent Storm and Stress

Abstract

In this review it is argued that traditional attempts to classify the parent-adolescent relationship as either harmonious or discordant are misdirected. Relations between parents and adolescents vary in conflict. Although most parents and adolescents report that they rarely argue, in a minority of families conflict and discord are common. A review of the literature reveals that parent-adolescent conflict varies as a function of family social context, family structure, characteristics of parents and adolescents, and, most importantly, style of parent-adolescent interaction. From a behaviorial perspective the important components of interaction style are communication/problem-solving skills, the techniques parents use to manage their adolescents, and the exchange of positive and negative behaviors.

Examining the longitudinal association between oppositional defiance and autonomy in adolescence.

“…Distance taking often yields a complex pattern of relations with psychosocial adjustment, as the associations appear to be qualified by age of the participant, the specific outcome at hand, and the context in which distance taking occurs (e.g., Dishion, Nelson, & Bullock, 2004;Fuhrman & Holmbeck, 1995;Zimmer-Gembeck & Collins, 2003). Too much distance taking too early in adolescence may be particularly problematic and at odds with maintaining a warm relationship with the parents (e.g., Collins & Steinberg, 2006;Montemayor, 1986;Smetana, 1996). Experiencing a sense of volition, on the other hand, has been found to be unequivocally beneficial for adolescents' adjustment (e.g., Ryan, Deci, Grolnick, & LaGuardia, 2006;Ryan & Lynch, 1989;Vansteenkiste, Niemiec, & Soenens, 2010).…”

Attachment and Autonomy During Adolescence

“…Adolescents test the boundaries of their newly developed self -regulatory skills in numerous ways, including a tendency to express themselves more directly to parents: studies suggest that older teens are more likely than younger ones to defend and elaborate on their positions while discussing disagreements with their parents (Kreppner & Ulrich, 1998 ;Graber & Brooks -Gunn, 1999 ;Pinquart & Silbereisen, 2002 ). Adolescents ' increased willingness to express disagreement and challenge their parents is implicit in the increased rate and intensity of parent -child conflict that occurs during early and middle adolescence (Bosma et al, 1996 ;Larson et al, 1998 ;Montemayor, 1983 ;1986 ). This increased conflict has often been attributed to adolescents ' more autonomous thinking; in addition to increases in their willingness to express their opinions, they also become more likely to define areas of conflict as subject to their own personal choice versus parental control (Smetana, Braeges, & Yau, 1991 ).…”

Mediators of the Relation Between Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Child Internalizing and Disruptive Behavior Disorders.

“…We chose to study mediation as youth transition into early adolescence (Grades 5-6, as defined by Forehand, Neighbors, & Wierson, 1991), This age period was chosen in part because it marks a time of change and transition that can negatively influence individuals (Simmons, Burgeson, Carlton-Ford, & Blyth, 1987) and is associated with an increase in problems (Petersen & Hamburg, 1986 (Montemayor, 1986).…”

“…Stress is another aspect of the family context that is likely to be heightened among children of mothers with depressive symptoms. Prior to the development of depression or conduct disorder, youth have been found to report the presence of more stressful life events (Goodyer, Wright, & Altham, 1988;Hastings, Anderson, & Kelley, 1996).We chose to study mediation as youth transition into early adolescence (Grades 5-6, as defined by Forehand, Neighbors, & Wierson, 1991), This age period was chosen in part because it marks a time of change and transition that can negatively influence individuals (Simmons, Burgeson, Carlton-Ford, & Blyth, 1987) and is associated with an increase in problems (Petersen & Hamburg, 1986 (Montemayor, 1986).The first proposed mediator in this study is mother-child communication. Parents play a pivotal role in their children's social and emotional competence by coaching, teaching, and nurturing developing skills (e.g., Parke, MacDonald, Beitel, & Bhavnagri, 1988).…”