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2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Adolescents".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 29678

Special Issue Editor

Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
Interests: attachment; cross-cultural studies in children and adolescents; personality assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

During adolescence, a multi-system transitional process develops, involving progression from the immaturity and social dependency of childhood into adult life, with the goal and expectation of fulfilled developmental potential, personal agency, social accountability, and integration of self-identity and self-development. It is a challenging transition period of rapid and considerable developmental changes, which involves significant transformations in almost every domain of functioning. Significant transformations occur in biological development, in neurological structure and function, and in cognitive development, with an increasing capacity for abstract thinking and problem solving and in metacognitive and representational capacity. Alongside these rapid changes, adolescents enter a new social–psychological phase of life, with an increasing reliance on peers for intimacy and support, along with a growing investment in relationships toward becoming more autonomous and independent from family. During periods of rapid development, research shows that parental sensitivity and support are critical in ‘scaffolding’ children to the next level of functioning. For this reason, parents remain a fundamental source of emotional support for their adolescent children.

Adolescence is associated with the onset or exacerbation of a number of health-related problems, including depression, eating disorders, substance dependence, risky sexual abuse and behavior, antisocial and delinquent activity, and dropout from school. Moreover, increased mental health problems in adolescents compromise their development and future potential. Psychological studies have demonstrated that the context in which an individual develops is of great importance in understanding and conceptualizing child developmental constructs. Among the numerous factors which may contribute to adolescents’ mental health problems are family contextual factors in adolescent relationships, such as parenting styles, parenting practices, and attachment relationships. Positive, engaged, sensitive parenting has been uniquely associated with adolescents’ better emotional regulation, fewer conduct problems, and lower emotional distress. Positive parenting includes experiences shared among family members, expressed positive emotions, positive behaviors, expressed warmth, perceived closeness and cohesion, supportiveness, responsiveness, perceived acceptance, and parental attachment security. Specifically, parental attachment refers to an affectional bond with primary caregivers that develops in the early years of life (Bowlby, 1969), but it still continues to influence individual psychological adjustment during adolescence as demonstrated by the association between attachment security and the development of adolescent emotional and problem behaviors in adolescents. In addition, an extensive body of research highlights the links between attachment security in adolescents and their behavioral and psychosocial outcomes later in life. However, new contributions are needed.

This Special Issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) focuses on the current state of knowledge on the links (a) between attachment and other family factors, and (b) between attachment, risk, and well-being in adolescence. New research papers, reviews, and methodological papers are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Adriana Lis
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adolescents
  • attachment
  • emotions
  • family assessment
  • family cultural values and orientation
  • family processes
  • parenting styles
  • psychological maladjustment

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Published Papers (16 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2427 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Mediating Role of Parental Anxiety in the Link between Children’s Mental Health and Glycemic Control in Type 1 Diabetes
by Evija Silina, Maris Taube and Maksims Zolovs
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(19), 6849; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196849 - 27 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1475
Abstract
Pediatric diabetes type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), as a chronic, incurable disease, is associated with psychoemotional and socioeconomic burden for the whole family. Disease outcomes are determined by the metabolic compensation of diabetes, characterized by the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The caregivers [...] Read more.
Pediatric diabetes type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), as a chronic, incurable disease, is associated with psychoemotional and socioeconomic burden for the whole family. Disease outcomes are determined by the metabolic compensation of diabetes, characterized by the level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The caregivers play a critical role in the metabolic control of children with T1D. The aim of this study was to investigate which environmental factors may explain the relationship between diabetes compensation and anxiety and depression of a child. The cross-sectional interdisciplinary study recruited dyads from adolescents and their parents (N = 251). Adolescent and parent groups were screened for anxiety and depression. General linear model (GLM) mediation analysis was performed to determine the potential mediating effect of surrounding factors on the relationship between dependent variables (glycated hemoglobin) and independent variables (the child’s anxiety and depression symptoms). The study revealed that the relationship between HbA1c and the child’s anxiety and depression is fully mediated (B = 0.366, z = 4.31, p < 0.001) by parental anxiety. Diabetes metabolic control in adolescents with T1D is related to adolescents’ mental health via parents’ anxiety. This means that parents’ anxiety plays a more significant role in the level of HbA1c than the anxiety and depression of the adolescent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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14 pages, 1220 KiB  
Article
Flourishing and Self-Control in Adolescence: The Role of Perceived Parenting
by Maria Mirandi, Adriana Lis, Claudia Mazzeschi, Jian-Bin Li, Luciana Pagano Salmi and Elisa Delvecchio
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(16), 6568; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20166568 - 12 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1349
Abstract
Self-control is the ability to control thoughts, emotions, and impulses to pursuit of long-term goals. Adolescents with high self-control experience higher flourishing levels. The latter refers to the fulfillment of needs for competence, relationship, and self-acceptance, as well as the possession of psychological [...] Read more.
Self-control is the ability to control thoughts, emotions, and impulses to pursuit of long-term goals. Adolescents with high self-control experience higher flourishing levels. The latter refers to the fulfillment of needs for competence, relationship, and self-acceptance, as well as the possession of psychological capital such as flow and commitment. High levels of self-control also seem to be linked to a positive relationship with parents, which is crucial in adolescent flourishing. However, few studies investigated the association between flourishing, self-control, and perceived parenting in adolescence. The aim of this study was to investigate how the ability to exert self-control and the need to perceive and preserve a responsive relationship with parents would facilitate adolescents’ experience of higher flourishing levels. The relationships among self-control, adolescents’ perception of some paternal and maternal dimensions (closeness, communication, and parents’ peer approval), and flourishing were analyzed in a sample of 335 Italian adolescents. Self-control was positively correlated with flourishing and the adolescent’s perception of maternal and paternal dimensions. The PROCESS model showed that perceived maternal and paternal dimensions mediate the relationship between self-control and flourishing. These findings show the importance of self-control and parenting dimensions in promoting flourishing during adolescence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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15 pages, 561 KiB  
Article
Parent and Carer Skills Groups in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for High-Risk Adolescents with Severe Emotion Dysregulation: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Participants’ Outcomes and Experiences
by Lindsay Smith, Katrina Hunt, Sam Parker, Jake Camp, Catherine Stewart and Andre Morris
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(14), 6334; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146334 - 10 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1831
Abstract
Background: There is an established evidence-base for dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) in the treatment of young people with severe emotion dysregulation and related problems, including repeated self-harm and suicidal behaviours. However, few studies have reported on parental involvement in such treatments. [...] Read more.
Background: There is an established evidence-base for dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) in the treatment of young people with severe emotion dysregulation and related problems, including repeated self-harm and suicidal behaviours. However, few studies have reported on parental involvement in such treatments. This study aims to explore the outcomes and experiences of participants of a dedicated skills group for parents and carers embedded within an adapted DBT-A programme in the United Kingdom. Method: This study was conducted within a specialist outpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) DBT programme in the National Health Service (NHS) in London. Participants were parents and carers of adolescents engaged in the DBT-A programme. Participants attended a 6-month parent and carer skills group intervention and completed self-report measures relating to carer distress, communication and family functioning, at pre-intervention and post-intervention. Following the intervention, semi-structured interviews were also completed with a subgroup of participants to explore their experiences of the skills group and how they perceived its effectiveness. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyse the data collected from participants. Results: Forty-one parents and carers completed the intervention. Participants reported a number of statistically significant changes from pre- to post-intervention: general levels of distress and problems in family communication decreased, while perceived openness of family communication and strengths and adaptability in family functioning increased. A thematic analysis of post-intervention interviews examining participant experiences identified six themes: (1) experiences prior to DBT; (2) safety in DBT; (3) experiences with other parents and carers; (4) new understandings; (5) changes in behaviours; and (6) future suggestions. Discussion: Parents and carers who attended a dedicated DBT skills groups, adapted for local needs, reported improvements in their wellbeing, as well as interactions with their adolescents and more general family functioning, by the end of the intervention. Further studies are needed which report on caregiver involvement in DBT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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14 pages, 367 KiB  
Article
Sensitivity and Attachment in an Italian Sample of Hikikomori Adolescents and Young Adults
by Alessandra Santona, Francesca Lionetti, Giacomo Tognasso, Chiara Fusco, Graziana Maccagnano, Danila Barreca and Laura Gorla
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(12), 6148; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126148 - 16 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1307
Abstract
Hikikomori is a severe form of social withdrawal increasing among the young Italian population. Hikikomori has been connected to psychological problems and high environmental sensitivity. Nevertheless, only a few studies have been carried out in the Italian context, and they did not analyze [...] Read more.
Hikikomori is a severe form of social withdrawal increasing among the young Italian population. Hikikomori has been connected to psychological problems and high environmental sensitivity. Nevertheless, only a few studies have been carried out in the Italian context, and they did not analyze several aspects strictly related to the hikikomori phenomenon, such as the role of attachment and sensitivity. We aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment, sensitivity, and psychological problems in a sample of Italian hikikomori. Our sample comprised 72 Italian adolescents and young adults (49 males and 23 females), meanly aged 22.5 years, recruited through online forums and clinical centers for the hikikomori phenomenon. Our participants fulfilled the Highly Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS), the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ), and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). The results showed high psychological issues (i.e., depression and anxiety), environmental sensitivity, and insecure attachment orientations. Moreover, we discovered a significant relationship between attachment dimensions, environmental sensitivity, and psychopathology. Our study sheds light on a novel research path and could help both the researchers and the clinicians who work with people suffering from social withdrawal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
15 pages, 1083 KiB  
Article
Stuck in a Rut of Thought—That Is Just a Barrier: Dysfunctional Metacognitive Beliefs, Limitation on Individual Freedom and Well-Being of Adolescents during COVID-19 Lockdown
by Natalia Kajka, Hanna Karakuła-Juchnowicz, Agnieszka Kulik, Paweł Szewczyk and Konrad Hryniewicz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 5151; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20065151 - 15 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1580
Abstract
Background: The aim of the cross-sectional study was to conduct an exploratory analysis of identifying factors related to mood, metacognitive beliefs, and limitation on individual freedom associated with lockdown restrictions during COVID-19, and to determine whether they may be relevant to the deteriorating [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of the cross-sectional study was to conduct an exploratory analysis of identifying factors related to mood, metacognitive beliefs, and limitation on individual freedom associated with lockdown restrictions during COVID-19, and to determine whether they may be relevant to the deteriorating well-being of adolescents. Methods: A total of 387 adolescents (M = 15.37; SD = 1.62): 85 with depression (DG) and 302 without any psychiatric diagnosis group (WPDG) were examined using the health survey and the CDI-2 questionnaire to assess the symptoms and severity of depression and MCQ-A to measure the intensity of dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs. Results: The feeling of restriction of freedom had an influence on worsened well-being in the whole group of responders OR = 4.15; p < 0.001 but was more in the DG than the WPDG (OR = 20.00; p < 0.001 vs. OR = 4.77; p < 0.001). Positive metacognitive beliefs were related to well-being (DG), but no effect was observed in the WPDG (OR = 0.88; p < 0.05 vs. OR = 1.05; p = 0.136). The lower age of the WPDG negatively impacted well-being (OR = 1.20; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dysfunctional metacognitive beliefs and the feeling of restriction of freedom are important in the deterioration of adolescents’ well-being, but these factors have a stronger impact on well-being in the DG. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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23 pages, 786 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Factors Affecting Academic Performance of Mathematics Education Doctoral Students: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
by Tommy Tanu Wijaya, Boran Yu, Fei Xu, Zhiqiang Yuan and Mailizar Mailizar
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4518; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054518 - 03 Mar 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4527
Abstract
Student academic performance is an important indicator of doctoral education quality, but limited research has focused on how multiple influential factors of doctoral students’ academic performance work together. This study aims to explore the factors significantly affecting the academic performance of mathematics education [...] Read more.
Student academic performance is an important indicator of doctoral education quality, but limited research has focused on how multiple influential factors of doctoral students’ academic performance work together. This study aims to explore the factors significantly affecting the academic performance of mathematics education doctoral students in Indonesia. Several factors were recognized from prior studies, such as the fear of delay, student engagement, parental support, teacher support, facilitating conditions, stress level, and well-being. An online questionnaire was designed and answered by a total of 147 mathematics education doctoral students. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was adopted to analyze the questionnaire data. The results suggested that teacher support had the strongest positive effects on mathematics education doctoral students’ academic performance in Indonesia. Student engagement was the most significant positive factor in improving doctoral students’ well-being, while parental support could most significantly reduce their stress levels. Practically, these results are expected to provide implications to universities and supervisors regarding the improvement of doctoral students’ well-being to promote their academic success and further the quality of doctoral programs in education. Theoretically, these results can also contribute to building an empirical model that can be used to explore and explain how multiple factors could affect doctoral students’ academic performance in other contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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15 pages, 394 KiB  
Article
Individual, Peer, and Family Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among College Students in Hong Kong
by Nelson W. Y. Tam, Sylvia Y. C. L. Kwok and Minmin Gu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4304; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054304 - 28 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1336
Abstract
In this study, an ecological model and developmental psychopathology theory focusing on an ontogenic system (hopelessness) and microsystems (peer alienation and childhood abuse and trauma) was adopted to examine the individual, peer, and family correlates of depressive symptoms among college Chinese students in [...] Read more.
In this study, an ecological model and developmental psychopathology theory focusing on an ontogenic system (hopelessness) and microsystems (peer alienation and childhood abuse and trauma) was adopted to examine the individual, peer, and family correlates of depressive symptoms among college Chinese students in Hong Kong, China. A cross-sectional survey research design with a convenience sampling procedure was used to examine a sample of college students (n = 786) aged 18 to 21 years old in Hong Kong. Among them, 352 respondents (44.8%) reported having depressive symptoms, with a Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score of 14 or above. The results of this study indicated that childhood abuse and trauma, peer alienation, and hopelessness were positively related to depressive symptoms. The underlying arguments and implications were discussed. The study results provided further support for the ecological model and the developmental psychopathology theory on the predictive roles of individual, peer, and family correlates of adolescent depression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
13 pages, 351 KiB  
Article
Family Characteristics, Transgender Identity and Emotional Symptoms in Adolescence: A Population Survey Study
by Riittakerttu Kaltiala, Elias Heino, Mauri Marttunen and Sari Fröjd
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2948; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042948 - 08 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2108
Abstract
Sociodemographic and psychosocial family factors have profound implications for adolescent development, identity formation and mental health during the adolescent years. We explored the associations of sociodemographic and psychosocial family factors with transgender identity in adolescence and the role of these factors in the [...] Read more.
Sociodemographic and psychosocial family factors have profound implications for adolescent development, identity formation and mental health during the adolescent years. We explored the associations of sociodemographic and psychosocial family factors with transgender identity in adolescence and the role of these factors in the associations between gender identity and emotional disorders. Data from a large adolescent population survey from Finland were analysed using logistic regression models. Reporting transgender identity was associated with mother’s low level of education, accumulating family life events, lack of family cohesion, perceived lack of family economic resources and female sex. A lack of family cohesion further differentiated between adolescents reporting identifying with the opposite sex and those reporting non-binary/other gender identification. The associations between transgender identity, depression and anxiety were attenuated but did not level out when family factors were controlled for. Transgender identity in adolescence is associated with socioeconomic and psychosocial family factors that are known correlates of negative outcomes in mental health and psychosocial well-being. However, transgender identification is also associated with emotional disorders independent of these family factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
12 pages, 3126 KiB  
Article
Parental Burnout and Adolescents’ Development: Family Environment, Academic Performance, and Social Adaptation
by Wei Wang, Shen Chen, Shengnan Wang, Geyan Shan and Yongxin Li
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2774; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042774 - 04 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2167
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the effect and underlying mechanism of parental burnout on adolescents’ development as well as the mediating role of parental psychological control. Adolescents’ academic performance, and social distress were selected as developmental indicators. Data were collected on three [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to examine the effect and underlying mechanism of parental burnout on adolescents’ development as well as the mediating role of parental psychological control. Adolescents’ academic performance, and social distress were selected as developmental indicators. Data were collected on three different occasions using a time-lagged design. Questionnaires were distributed to 565 Chinese families. In the first phase of data collection, fathers and mothers were asked to provide data regarding their parental burnout separately. In the second phase, adolescents were asked to provide details regarding their perceived father and mother’s psychological control. In the third phase, adolescents were asked to provide information on their social distress. At the end of their term, academic performance scores on the final exams were collected. In total, data of 290 students (135 boys; Mage = 13.85 years) and their parents (for fathers age M = 41.91, and for mothers M = 40.76) were matched. The results of the multi-group structural equation model showed that parental burnout was negatively related to adolescents’ development indirectly through parental psychological control. Parental psychological control partial mediated the relation between parental burnout and academic performance, and fully mediated the relation between parental burnout with social adaptation. In addition, mothers’ parental burnout showed a stronger effect than fathers’. Mothers’ parental burnout generally showed significant effects on adolescents’ development, while the same indirect effects were not significant in the sample of fathers. These results showed the importance of mothers’ influence on adolescents in parenting activities, and therefore, attention should be paid to mothers in the intervention and prevention of parental burnout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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13 pages, 574 KiB  
Article
Attentional Prioritization of Infant Faces in Parents: The Influence of Parents’ Experiences of Care
by Micol Gemignani, Michele Giannotti, Xenia Schmalz, Paola Rigo and Simona De Falco
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010527 - 28 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1797
Abstract
Infant faces are prioritized by the attentional system in parents, resulting in a greater cognitive engagement in terms of response time. However, many biological, contextual and environmental factors relating to this cognitive mechanism have been left unexplored. To fill this gap, this study [...] Read more.
Infant faces are prioritized by the attentional system in parents, resulting in a greater cognitive engagement in terms of response time. However, many biological, contextual and environmental factors relating to this cognitive mechanism have been left unexplored. To fill this gap, this study aims to (i) confirm that infant faces engage more attention compared to adult faces; (ii) investigate whether the attention to infant faces is affected early care experiences of parents; (iii) explore the effect of parents’ sex by taking the amount of involvement with early childcare into consideration. 51 mothers and 46 fathers completed a modified Go/no-Go task, a brief sociodemographic questionnaire, the short version of the Adult Parental Acceptance–Rejection scale, and an ad-hoc question relating to the amount of parental involvement with early childcare. Parents’ response times were slowed in the presence of infant versus adult faces. Parents whose mother was perceived as more sensitively accepting were more engaged by infant cues. By considering the amount of early parental involvement, the sex of parents did not significantly interact with the type of face. These findings provide new insights on the attention process in response to infant cues in parents and suggest that the investigation of experience-based factors may shed further light on this topic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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15 pages, 1606 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Partner Phubbing and Parent–Adolescent Relationship Quality: A Family-Based Study
by Julan Xie, Ya Luo and Zhuo Chen
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010304 - 25 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2069
Abstract
A high-quality parent–child relationship is critical to the health and well-being of adolescents and, in the family system, the interaction pattern within couples is a decisive factor in parent–adolescent relationship quality. Using dyadic data from 441 Chinese couples, in this study, we examined [...] Read more.
A high-quality parent–child relationship is critical to the health and well-being of adolescents and, in the family system, the interaction pattern within couples is a decisive factor in parent–adolescent relationship quality. Using dyadic data from 441 Chinese couples, in this study, we examined the association between partner phubbing (a negative interaction behavior initiated by the spouse) and parent–adolescent relationship quality, and further explored the moderating effect of adolescent gender. Dyadic modeling showed that partner phubbing had both an intra-person effect and an inter-person effect on parent–adolescent relationship quality. For the intra-person effect, husbands’ phubbing had an adverse effect on the mother–adolescent relationship quality, and this effect was stronger for girls than boys; wives’ phubbing had a positive effect on the father–adolescent relationship quality, but this effect was only significant for boys. For the inter-person effect, the negative influence of husbands’ phubbing on father–adolescent relationship quality was only significant for boys; wives’ phubbing was uncorrelated with mother–adolescent relationship quality. These findings deepen our understanding of the links between the marital subsystem and the parent-adolescent subsystem in the family, underscore the importance of positive marital interactions for adolescent development, and have implications for personal smartphone use management in family contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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11 pages, 1058 KiB  
Article
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Parenting of Infants: A Couples Study
by Paulina Anikiej-Wiczenbach and Maria Kaźmierczak
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16883; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416883 - 15 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1074
Abstract
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many negative changes in everyday functioning. This study aimed to establish how it impacts parental responsiveness towards their children; (2) Methods: 132 couples (N = 264) who were parents of young children (from 3 to [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to many negative changes in everyday functioning. This study aimed to establish how it impacts parental responsiveness towards their children; (2) Methods: 132 couples (N = 264) who were parents of young children (from 3 to 24 months; M = 12.61; SD = 6.71) participated in this study. The Parental Responsiveness Scale was used to measure parental responsiveness toward their own child and the Polish adaptation of the My Emotions Scale was used to measure emotional reactions to the child’s cry. We collected data about perceived stress, fear of being affected by COVID-19, and emotional overload caused by the pandemic. An analysis using actor–partner interdependence models was carried out; (3) Results: there were actor effects for both parental responsiveness and reactions to the child’s cry (for all measured aspects (frustration, amusement, anxiety, empathy, sympathy)). For women, parental responsiveness was a negative partner effect of stress, and for men, there was a positive effect of fear of being infected, emotional overload, and stress; (4) Conclusions: these results show how important it is to take care of families and investigate the effects of the pandemic on their functioning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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11 pages, 1006 KiB  
Article
Oxytocin Reactivity during a Wilderness Program without Parents in Adolescents
by Ayako Morita, Akiko Shikano, Kazuaki Nakamura, Shingo Noi and Takeo Fujiwara
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15437; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315437 - 22 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1066
Abstract
While wilderness programs are recognized as a feasible intervention to promote psychological independence in adolescence, little is known about physiological changes. The present study focused on oxytocin, a key hormone for social cognition and behavior, and investigated changes in OT concentrations during a [...] Read more.
While wilderness programs are recognized as a feasible intervention to promote psychological independence in adolescence, little is known about physiological changes. The present study focused on oxytocin, a key hormone for social cognition and behavior, and investigated changes in OT concentrations during a wilderness program among adolescents. Twenty-one 4th–7th graders were separated from parents and immersed with adventures and challenges in the woodlands of Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan for 31 days, and dataset of 20 boys aged 9–13 years-old were used for analysis. OT concentrations in early morning saliva samples on days 2, 5, 8, 13, 18, 20, 21, 22 and 30 were determined using ELIZA. We performed multi-level regression analyses to compare the OT concentrations before and after solo and team-based survival challenges, and across the nine observational points, adjusting for potential covariates. We found that adolescents increased OT level in a situation where they needed others’ cooperation and support for survival (coefficient: 2.86, SE: 1.34, p = 0.033). Further, we found that adolescents gradually decreased their basal OT level during a long separation from parents (coefficient: −0.083, SE: 0.034, p = 0.016). A combination of these findings suggest the OT level may be a marker for psychological independence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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17 pages, 1473 KiB  
Article
The Mechanisms of Parental Burnout Affecting Adolescents’ Problem Behavior
by Yin Yuan, Wei Wang, Tingting Song and Yongxin Li
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15139; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215139 - 17 Nov 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1738
Abstract
Parental burnout refers to the feelings of extreme exhaustion that many parents experience due to parenting. Although parental burnout has received considerable interest from researchers, the effects and mechanisms of parental burnout on adolescents’ physical and psychological development remain largely unknown. This study [...] Read more.
Parental burnout refers to the feelings of extreme exhaustion that many parents experience due to parenting. Although parental burnout has received considerable interest from researchers, the effects and mechanisms of parental burnout on adolescents’ physical and psychological development remain largely unknown. This study investigated the relationship between parental burnout and adolescents’ problem behaviors in Chinese families. We explored the mediating roles of family function, parental psychological aggression, and adolescent self-control, as well as the moderating role of co-parenting. Questionnaires were distributed to 600 adolescents and their primary caregivers, and the data were collected on three different occasions. In total, 174 paired participants completed the survey (44.9% boys; Mean-age = 14.18 years). Bootstrapping results showed that parental burnout was positively associated with adolescents’ problem behavior. In addition, family function, parental psychological aggression, and adolescent self-control mediated the relationship between parental burnout and adolescents’ problem behavior. Co-parenting moderated the effects of parental burnout on family function and parental psychological aggression. The result of structural equation modeling (SEM) generally supported the above results. These findings reveal the negative effects and mechanisms of parental burnout on adolescent problem behavior, providing empirical evidence that can be applied to prevent the negative effects of parental burnout. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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14 pages, 390 KiB  
Article
Psychological Research on Sleep Problems and Adjustment of Working Hours during Teleworking in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study
by Sandra Figueiredo, Raquel João, Laura Alho and João Hipólito
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14305; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114305 - 02 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1631
Abstract
Mandatory home isolation caused by COVID-19 in professional contexts led to a situation that required work activities to be converted into a remote modality. The literature on this topic is very recent, given the pandemic and the uncertainty of virtual and face-to-face work [...] Read more.
Mandatory home isolation caused by COVID-19 in professional contexts led to a situation that required work activities to be converted into a remote modality. The literature on this topic is very recent, given the pandemic and the uncertainty of virtual and face-to-face work modalities. This study aimed to examine the effects of adults’ prolonged exposure to screens on sleep quality, the type of devices used according to age and gender, periods of access to such devices and the impact on performance in the context of telework due to COVID-19. Specifically, the study analyzed the differences in the use of devices and in the time spent using them during and after teleworking between genders and age groups. A total of 127 Portuguese participants answered the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a questionnaire that we specifically developed to characterize teleworking habits. The results showed differences between men and women regarding the use of devices and its impact on sleep quality, as well as differences in terms of age. These results are discussed in terms of how the current work context may affect performance, sleep, gender differences and the adverse effects of exposure to screens during and after work hours. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
17 pages, 589 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Chronotype on Oppositional Behaviour and Psychomotor Agitation of School-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Sandra Figueiredo and Rayane Vieira
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13233; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013233 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1695
Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between chronotype, classroom behaviour and school performance in 140 healthy school-age children attending various levels of education during the 1st cycle during 2021 in Portugal. In this cross-sectional and quantitative study, the Chronotype [...] Read more.
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between chronotype, classroom behaviour and school performance in 140 healthy school-age children attending various levels of education during the 1st cycle during 2021 in Portugal. In this cross-sectional and quantitative study, the Chronotype Questionnaire for Children (to assess the chronotype) and the Conners Scale—a reduced version was presented to the teachers (to assess behaviours such as excessive movement, inattention and oppositional behaviours)—were used. The methodology of this study followed a comparative method since the independent variables were not controlled, and therefore, it was still possible to compare the differences between the morning and evening groups. Statistical methods were used such as multivariate analyses, inter-item correlations and reliability tests, and descriptive tests were used for the percentile analysis. The sample was divided into three groups based on the identification of the chronotype—morning, intermediate and evening types—to further study the relationship between these chronotypes, their academic performance and classroom behaviour were studied. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed that there was a higher rate of oppositional behaviour in the morning type and no differences in the school performance during the two semesters (covering all of the school periods) regarding the chronotype effect, even with the analysis of regression parameters and covariates. On the other hand, the morning-type children showed a greater amount of motor agitation and impulsivity after controlling for the gender covariate. Age had an effect on the chronotype, after controlling for the covariate parental education. This study highlights the need for further research on the chronotype of the morning children in order to regulate their behaviour. The data that were obtained raise questions that have not been yet considered in the literature in the area of education and infant development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition of Parental Attachment and Adolescent Well-Being)
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