Linking parent–child relationship to peer relationship based on the parent-peer relationship spillover theory: Evidence from China

Linking family relationships with peer relationships based on spillover theory: A positive perspective

“…We attribute this to the adoption different dependent variables and samples. Second, destructive relationships (i.e., those involving conflict) may be more dominant than constructive relationships (i.e., those involving closeness) in the spillover process (Liu et al, 2020). This speculation is worthy of further verification through an investigation of the spillover effect of interparental conflict.…”

“…Moreover, children’s love has been noted as important for children in establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships (Shoshani & Slone, 2013; Wagner, 2019) and has been found to lead to good peer group relationships and friendships (Wagner, 2019), particularly in collectivistic and Confucian cultures such as China’s, which emphasize strong social affiliations and interdependence with others (Chen et al, 2009). Parents and other socialization agents socialize children to love and befriend others (Liu et al, 2020). We also found children’s love to be positively related to both children’s social preference and their number of friendships.…”

“…As the origins of social relationships, familial relationships are crucial to children’s socialization and lay the foundation for extrafamilial relationships (e.g., peer relationships) (Bowlby, 1973). A considerable number of studies have explored the linkages between family and peer relationships, and spillover theory has been applied to explain these linkages (e.g., Liu et al, 2020; Kaufman et al, 2020; Martin et al, 2017; Zou et al, 2020). However, previous research has primarily focused on the “spillover” of negativity (e.g., conflict) between family and peer relationships (e.g., Chung et al, 2011; Martin et al, 2017).…”

“…Recently, spillover theory has been adopted to provide a theoretical basis for the relationship between family and peer relationships (e.g., Kaufman et al, 2020; Liu et al, 2020; Martin et al, 2017; Zou et al, 2020). According to this theory, experiences, including emotions, attitudes, and behaviors, can be transferred from familial to extrafamilial contexts (e.g., peer relationships) (e.g., Chung et al, 2011; Martin et al, 2017).…”

“…While little research has been concerned with the positive spillover effect, Lucas-Thompson and Clarke-Stewart (2007) found a linkage between strong marital quality and children’s friendship quality. Similarly, ample studies have examined the spillover effects between parent–child and peer relationships (e.g., Gorrese & Ruggieri, 2012; Kaufman et al, 2020; Lee, 2018; Liu et al, 2020; Schneider et al, 2001), while few have examined a positive spillover effect (e.g., Lee, 2018; O’connor et al, 2003). For example, Lee (2018) explored the association between the parent–child relationship and children’s self-rated peer relationships (i.e., peer acceptance at the group level and friendships at the dyadic level) in South Korea and found a positive relation between the quality of parent–child relationships and peer acceptance as well as friendship quality.…”