Intergenerational Transmission of Anger: Parental Anger Affecting Anger and Self-Feelings in Adolescence and Young Adulthood

• In Event: 534 - Section on Children and Youth Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 02. Family and the Home Environment

Abstract

Anger is a psychological state that is often a reaction to outside stimuli. Some people are more prone to respond to stimuli in anger and frustration than others. We investigate whether and how parental anger influences anger and self-feelings (depressive symptoms, anxiety, and self-derogation) in children. We hypothesize that the anger transmission from parent to child is moderated by the presence of parent and by child’s locus of control. In addition, we test whether there is evidence of transmission of parental anger on child self-feelings. We employ data from a longitudinal study of two generations, KLAMS, with parallel measures of emotional distress in both generations. We assess parental anger in their mid-life and children’s anger and self-feelings in adolescence (ages 11-18) and in young adulthood (ages 20-24). We find support of transmission of anger from parents to children in adolescence but not in young adulthood. Instead, maternal anger (but not paternal anger) affects negative self-feelings in young adults.

Authors

• Gabriele Plickert, Texas A&M University

• Heili Pals, Texas A&M University