Developmental Mechanisms of Intergenerational Transmission of Externalizing Behavior Problems Across Three Generations

• In Event: Developmental Psychopathology Perspectives on Externalizing Behavior Problems Among Young Children

Abstract

Examining developmental mechanisms of intergenerational transmission is a key task in understanding the etiology, onset, and course of externalizing psychopathology (Chassin et al., 1993; Hicks et al., 2004; Salvatore et al., 2015). Previous studies have shown evidence for continuity in externalizing behavior (EXT) across generations (Capaldi et al., 2003; Coley et al., 2011; Davies et al., 2012; Suveg et al., 2011; Thornberry et al., 2009). However, prospective longitudinal studies of transmission across three generations or more, as well as those testing developmental mechanisms of transmission, remain somewhat limited (Huessman et al., 2011). The current study prospectively examined EXT transmission across three generations, as well as the role of parenting behavior as a mediator of transmission.
Participants were 585 families recruited during kindergarten preregistration from three sites: Nashville, Tennessee; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Bloomington, Indiana. Generation 1 (G1) parents, teachers, and G2 children reported yearly on G2 children’s EXT from ages 5-27 years old using the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). G1 parents self-reported on their EXT using the Antisocial Process Screening Device. G2 parents reported on their G3 children’s EXT at approximately age 5 (M = 4.88, SD = 1.00). Researchers rated observed G1 parental warmth at age 5 and G1 parents self-reported on their discipline behaviors yearly from ages 5-9 using the Responses to Child Misbehavior Questionnaire (RCMQ); G2 parents self-reported on their discipline behaviors when G3 children were approximately 5 years old. Latent curve modeling (LCM) was used to observe trajectories of G2 individuals EXT from ages 5-27 and to predict intergenerational EXT transmission. G1 and G2 parenting behavior were examined as mediators of EXT transmission.
Unconditional LCM results indicated that a piecewise linear model with transition points at 11, 16, and 20 years old best fit the G2 EXT trajectories. On average, G2 individuals showed low EXT that increased during early adolescence and then decreased and leveled off during late adolescence and early adulthood (see Figure 1). Figure 2 shows the full conditional LCM intergenerational transmission results. Greater G1 EXT predicted greater G2 EXT at ages 5, 11, 16, 20, and 27; and increasing EXT from age 20-27. Greater G2 EXT at ages 5 and 16 predicted greater G3 EXT, but growth in G2 EXT did not significantly predict G3 EXT. Significant positive mediation paths from G1 EXT to G3 EXT included (1) greater G1 EXT to greater G2 EXT at ages 5 and 16 to greater G3 EXT, (2) greater G1 EXT to more frequent G1 non-harsh discipline to greater G2 EXT at ages 5 and 16 to greater G3 EXT, and (3) greater G1 EXT to more frequent G1 physical discipline to greater G2 EXT at age 5 to greater G3 EXT.
These findings suggest that parents’ EXT is not only likely to be transmitted to their children, but also to their grandchildren; and that parental discipline plays a key role in promoting EXT transmission. Implications and future directions will be discussed.

Authors

• Peter David Rehder, American Institutes for Research - Maryland
  Presenting Author

• Kenneth A Dodge, Duke University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jennifer E. Lansford, Duke University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Gregory S Pettit, Auburn University
  Non-Presenting Author

• John E Bates, Indiana University - Bloomington
  Non-Presenting Author