Abstract
Recently, researchers have devoted greater attention to understanding how disagreement between mothers and their children
regarding parent–child relationship quality and functioning impacts youth adjustment. While some view discrepancies as indices
of developmentally appropriate individuation, discrepancies regarding family functioning also have been found to predict problematic
youth functioning. This study examined the effects of mother–child discrepancies for mother–child relationship qualities and
youth self-disclosure on youth- and mother-reported youth internalizing and externalizing adjustment. 232 fifth, eighth, and
11th grade youth (55 % female) and their mothers completed measures of mother–child relationship quality, youth self-disclosure,
and youth internalizing and externalizing adjustment. For internalizing adjustment, few effects of discrepancy on adjustment
were evident. Instead, informant-specific perceptions of mother–child relationship functioning were most relevant for informant-specific
reports of youth adjustment. For youth externalizing adjustment, the magnitude of mother–child discrepancies for negative
relationship quality and for youth self-disclosure predicted lower levels of problematic externalizing behavior from both
the children’s and the mothers’ perspectives, which could indicate a lack of parent–child communication. Future research is
needed to fully understand how discrepancies in negative or maladaptive aspects of mother–child relationships are formed (e.g.,
low disclosure), are understood by the members of the dyad, and contribute to the onset, maintenance, and treatment of problematic
behavioral outcomes.
regarding parent–child relationship quality and functioning impacts youth adjustment. While some view discrepancies as indices
of developmentally appropriate individuation, discrepancies regarding family functioning also have been found to predict problematic
youth functioning. This study examined the effects of mother–child discrepancies for mother–child relationship qualities and
youth self-disclosure on youth- and mother-reported youth internalizing and externalizing adjustment. 232 fifth, eighth, and
11th grade youth (55 % female) and their mothers completed measures of mother–child relationship quality, youth self-disclosure,
and youth internalizing and externalizing adjustment. For internalizing adjustment, few effects of discrepancy on adjustment
were evident. Instead, informant-specific perceptions of mother–child relationship functioning were most relevant for informant-specific
reports of youth adjustment. For youth externalizing adjustment, the magnitude of mother–child discrepancies for negative
relationship quality and for youth self-disclosure predicted lower levels of problematic externalizing behavior from both
the children’s and the mothers’ perspectives, which could indicate a lack of parent–child communication. Future research is
needed to fully understand how discrepancies in negative or maladaptive aspects of mother–child relationships are formed (e.g.,
low disclosure), are understood by the members of the dyad, and contribute to the onset, maintenance, and treatment of problematic
behavioral outcomes.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Empirical Research
- Pages 1-17
- DOI 10.1007/s10964-012-9773-8
- Authors
- Esther B. Reidler, Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, D636H, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Lance P. Swenson, Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, D636H, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Journal Journal of Youth and Adolescence
- Online ISSN 1573-6601
- Print ISSN 0047-2891