Maternal Warmth and Early Adolescents’ Internalizing Symptoms and Externalizing Behavior

Abstract

This study examines the relation between maternal warmth and the internalizing and externalizing problems of early adolescents, and the potential mediation of this relation by emotional insecurity. The hypotheses for the study derive from Cummings and Davies' theory of emotional security. The current study extends the theory to security processes within the parent-adolescent relationship. A total of 203 early adolescents drawn from school samples in Spain participated in the study along with their mothers and their classroom teachers. The results supported the hypothesis. Emotional insecurity mediated the relationship between maternal warmth and adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems. Higher maternal warmth was linked to greater emotional security, which in turn was linked to fewer internalizing and externalizing problems. The findings extend the tenets of Emotional Security Theory and imply strategies for prevention and intervention.

Parental Socialization Styles and Psychological Adjustment. A Study in Spanish Adolescents // Los estilos parentales de socialización y el ajuste psicológico. Un estudio con adolescentes españoles

“…Asimismo, los adolescentes de familias caracterizadas por las actuaciones impositivas (autorizativas y autoritarias) obtuvieron siempre puntuaciones significativamente menores que los adolescentes de familias que no se caracterizan por un estilo de actuación impositivo pero si por el afecto, el estilo indulgente. Concluyendo, por tanto, que la implicación afectiva de los padres en la socialización de los hijos a través de las muestras de afecto y cariño, el apoyo y la comunicación con los hijos atendiendo, además, al razonamiento ante las conductas no adecuadas a las normas familiares, son necesarias y fundamentales para el adecuado desarrollo y ajuste psicológico y emocional de los adolescentes españoles (Alegre et al, 2013;Alonso-Geta, 2012; García y Gracia, 2009.…”

Assessment of Family, Peers, and Externalising Behaviour Dimensions in Adolescence: The Proposal of a Comprehensive Instrument (FPEB)

“…More specifically, we focused on the aforementioned "system level", and we developed an instrument accounting for the most significant areas in which risk (or protective) factors are considered to play their effects in relation to the onset of adolescent deviant behaviour intended as a maladaptive conduct. According to the reference literature, and considering factors that go beyond the individual sphere, such main areas are the family context, the scholastic context, and the relationship with the peer group [4,5,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. Each of the three areas is multifaceted since it contains specific aspects that are believed to be particularly influential.…”

Measurement and Function of the Control Dimension in Parenting Styles: A Systematic Review

“…They consider these dimensions as orthogonal, and their combination leads to 4 different parenting styles: authoritative (high affect and control), permissive (high affect and low control), authoritarian (low affection and high control) and neglectful (low affection and control). Generally, there is some coincidence in the definition of ‘affection’, and authors consensually believe that it is crucial that parents show care, support, understanding, and affection to their children [4,5,6,7]. This dimension has been defined and measured in similar ways, and most studies show that parental warmth is beneficial for children.…”