Neither Too Sweet nor Too Sour: Problem Peers, Maternal Control, and Problem Behavior in African American Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined whether maternal control protects African American adolescents from the negative influence of problem peers. Two forms of control were examined, behavioral control and psychological control. It was hypothesized that there would be a curvilinear relation between control and adolescent problem behavior, with the strength of the relationship and the amount of control optimal for adolescent development varying by the level of peer problem behavior. In general, data supported this model, particularly in regard to behavioral control, where the predicted curvilinear interaction occurred even after controlling for initial levels of problem behavior. The predicted curvilinear interaction between psychological control and peer problem behavior was statistically significant if initial levels of problem behavior were not controlled for but was not significant after controlling for initial problem behavior. These findings suggest that high-quality parenting can play a modest but critical role in the face of environmental adversity.

The roles of respect for parental authority and parenting practices in parent-child conflict among African American, Latino, and European American families.

“…Moreover, these findings are consistent with other studies that indicate that ethnic minority mothers exert more control over their children when they use parental control and restrictiveness as protective factors (Mason et al, 1996).…”

Attachment and Autonomy During Adolescence

“…Further, several recent surveys of parenting practices in primarily African American samples have demonstrated that the level of environmental risk moderates the links between parental restriction of autonomy and adolescent adjustment. In high -risk contexts within these samples, parental restriction of autonomy during early and middle adolescence is linked with positive indices of adjustment, including higher levels of academic competence, decreased externalizing behaviors, and more positive self -worth (Baldwin et al, 1990 ;Gonzales, Cauce, Friedman, & Mason, 1996 ;Mason, Cauce, Gonzales, & Hiraga, 1996 ;Smetana, CampioneBarr, & Daddis, 2004 were high on undermining of cognitive/verbal autonomy as more trustworthy and accepting; teens from low -risk settings, however, viewed highly undermining mothers as more psychologically controlling, and they reported feeling more alienated from them (McElhaney & Allen, 2001 ). In this same study, higher levels of adolescents ' expressions of autonomy were linked to positive outcomes for low -risk teens (higher levels of competence with peers), but to negative outcomes for high -risk teens (higher levels of engagement in delinquent behaviors).…”

Patterns of Competence and Adjustment Among Adolescents from Authoritative, Authoritarian, Indulgent, and Neglectful Homes: A Replication in a Sample of Serious Juvenile Offenders

“…A number of researchers have examined the prevalence and correlates of different parenting styles in diverse populations of adolescents. These studies have largely found that, even though authoritative parenting is less common in ethnic minority and in poor families, its effects on adolescent adjustment appear to be beneficial across ethnic and socioeconomic groups (e.g., Knight, Virdin, & Roosa, 1994;Mason, Cauce, Gonzales, & Hiraga, 1996;.The present study examines the correlates of authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and neglectful parenting within a large sample of serious juvenile offenders. Studying parenting style and adolescent adjustment in this group of adolescents is important for several reasons.…”

“…A number of researchers have examined the prevalence and correlates of different parenting styles in diverse populations of adolescents. These studies have largely found that, even though authoritative parenting is less common in ethnic minority and in poor families, its effects on adolescent adjustment appear to be beneficial across ethnic and socioeconomic groups (e.g., Knight, Virdin, & Roosa, 1994;Mason, Cauce, Gonzales, & Hiraga, 1996;.…”