Poster #127 - Parent Qualities vs. Behaviors as Predictors of Young Adult Emotion Regulation

• In Event: Poster Session 17

Abstract

Emotion dysregulation is a principal component in psychiatric symptoms and disorders (e.g., Bradley et al., 2011). In the tripartite model (Morris et al., 2007), modeling, parenting practices, and family emotional climate are theorized to influence children and adolescents’ development of emotion regulation. The parental relationship factors that compose the tripartite model represent both relationship qualities (e.g., parent-child attachment, interparental conflict) and behaviors in relationships (e.g., parent expressivity, interparental engagement). What remains unclear, however, is how these relationship qualities versus behaviors may differentially predict emotion regulation across development.

This study sought to compare adolescents’ parental relationship qualities and behaviors as long-term predictors of emotion regulation. It was hypothesized that 1) positive qualities of parental relationships (parent-teen valuing and interparental agreement) would be stronger predictors of young adult emotion regulation in early adolescence and 2) positive parental behaviors in relationships (parent-teen self-disclosure and interparental engagement) would be stronger predictors of young adult emotion regulation in late adolescence. In early adolescence, advances in cognitive functioning come with unfamiliar emotions and new responsibilities (e.g., romantic relationships, academic demands) (Steinberg & Silk, 2002); parental relationships with positive qualities provide a safe environment for teens to explore these emotions (Henry, 1994). In late adolescence teens depend less on this secure base (Hazan & Shaver, 1994) but begin to rely on the relationship behaviors, modeled to them by their parents, in increasingly important social and romantic relationships (Bowlby, 1973; Hazan & Shaver, 1994).

Data were obtained from a larger longitudinal study of 184 adolescents (86 males, 98 females). The sample was diverse with respect to participant race/ethnicity (107 Caucasian, 53 African American, 24 mixed/ “other” ethnicity), and socioeconomic status (median = $43,618). At participant ages 13 and 17-19, interparental agreement and engagement were assessed using parent responses on the consensus and cohesion subscales of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, respectively; parent valuing of interactions with the teen and parent-teen self-disclosure were assessed via parents’ behavior during an 8-minute observation task with teens. At participant age 27, emotion regulation was assessed using self-reported responses on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Acceptance and Denial subscales of the Brief COPE.

Regarding hypothesis 1 (parental qualities), interparental agreement reported in early adolescence predicted young-adult emotion regulation. Greater dad-reported interparental agreement predicted greater acceptance, less denial, and less dysregulation (Acceptance: β = .26, p = .03; Denial: β = -.51, p < .001; Dysregulation: β = -.23, p = .03); greater mom-reported agreement predicted less dysregulation (β = -.20, p = .03). Regarding Hypothesis 2 (parental behaviors), both specific behaviors reported in late adolescence predicted emotion regulation. More mom self-disclosure predicted greater acceptance (β = .38, p < .001), while more dad self-disclosure predicted greater dysregulation (β = .38, p = .005). Greater mom-reported interparental engagement predicted less acceptance and more emotion dysregulation (Acceptance: β = -.24, p = .02; Dysregulation: β = .41, p <.001). The developmental appropriateness and helpfulness of these specific parent factors at different ages for supporting positive youth emotional regulation development will be discussed.

Authors

• Saleena Wilson, James Madison University
  Presenting Author

• David E. Szwedo, James Madison University

• Joseph P Allen, University of Virginia - Charlottesville