Actor-Partner Effects of Mother-Adolescent Communication and Conflict on Psychological Well-Being for Mothers and Male/Female Adolescents

Abstract

Objectives: Guided by the family systems theory (Bowen, 1966) and the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM; Cook & Kenny, 2005), this study examined the actor-partner effects of mother-adolescent communication on the psychological well-being of mothers and their adolescent children via mother-adolescent conflict and the differences between female and male adolescents.Methods: A total of 249 dyads of mothers and their adolescent children (age 13-16) in South Korea completed questionnaires on mother-adolescent communication, mother-adolescent conflict, and psychological well-being, respectively. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, path model analysis, and multiple group analysis.Results: First, the findings showed both partial actor and partner effects of perceived mother-adolescent communication on psychological well-being through a perceived level of conflict in both male and female adolescents and mother pairs. In addition, we examined sex differences for the aforementioned indirect pathways. There were sex differences in the indirect actor effects, in that mothers’ and adolescents’ own perceived communication had differential effects on psychological well-being indirectly through perceived conflict. The indirect partner effects also differed between male and female adolescents. The results of this study are meaningful because they emphasize the bidirectionality of the relationships among these variables.Conclusion: The findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the dyadic process in which mother-adolescent communication, conflict, and psychological well-being perceived by mothers and adolescents affect themselves as well as each other. This study is meaningful because the results emphasize the relationships between these variables. In utilizing a family systems approach, this study’s findings can aid in developing parent education programs, counseling interventions, and family policies that improve individuals’ psychological well-being.

Comparison of Needs, Pressures, and Aspirations among Motherless and Normal Adolescents: A Quantitative-Qualitative Analysis

“…The results of the variance analysis showed that there is a significant relationship between needs and pressures (need for affiliation -pressure of affiliation, need for helping and affection -pressure of rejection, need for dominance and autonomy -pressure of submissiveness and dominance acceptance, need for aggression and destruction -pressure of aggression, need for attention and affection -pressure of neglect and lack of love, need for mother's love -pressure of absence and lack of maternal love, need for father's lovepressure of absence and lack of paternal love, need for achievement -pressure of compassion and lack of love, need for acquisition, play, and stimulation -pressure of a hostile and restrictive environment, sexual need -sexual pressure, need for harm avoidance -pressure of harm and risk) between motherless and normal adolescents, with needs and pressures being higher in motherless adolescents. This research aligns with literature, which recognized the impact of mothers on adolescents' states (Bornstein & Cote, 2004;Cho & Han, 2021;Huk, 2017;Monika et al, 2023;Steeger & Gondoli, 2013). In the home and community environment, the most prominent role of the mother is the educational role.…”

“…The importance of this role becomes evident as the adolescent is first cradled by the mother and learns social customs from her. According to Bowlby's attachment theories and Erikson's psychosocial theory, trust in the early years of adolescence has a significant impact on the adolescent's psychological security, and this trust is achieved through love, affection, and timely fulfillment of needs (Cho & Han, 2021;Monika et al, 2023). Therefore, it seems that the mother, by responding to the adolescent's needs, plays a very important role in laying the foundation of the adolescent's personality.…”

“…In explaining the need for mother's love -pressure of absence and lack in motherless adolescents, it can be said that given the sensitivity of adolescence and the changes that occur in the adolescent, there is always a fire within them, and the sincere love of a mother for the adolescent can be water on this fire. Sadness and grief due to the death or separation from the mother bring about disappointment and frustration in the adolescent's life, and cutting off an emotional relationship due to separation or death can create a situation where the adolescent needs the mother's love, but since the adolescent is deprived of this love, the pressure of absence and lack of maternal love arises in them (Cho & Han, 2021;Zhai et al, 2021). This deficiency leads to a gradual reduction in the adolescent's contact and receptivity.…”

“…The perpetual presence of the mother, along with kindness and care, especially during adolescence, generates love and affection in the child, making the adolescent feel not alone and unsupported in this world, T E-ISSN: PENDING E-ISSN: PENDING knowing they can rely on the mother's unconditional support when needed. Indeed, providing security for children is satisfied and signifies the unique role of the mother (Cho & Han, 2021;Steeger & Gondoli, 2013). Additionally, an individual needs to be nourished from the abundant source of motherly love and affection, as this significantly impacts cognitive development.…”

“…A specific environmental subject or event pressures an individual to behave in a particular way. Murray also introduced the concept of thema (or thematic unit) to account for the interaction between need and pressure, essentially combining personal factors (needs) with environmental factors that exert pressure on behaviors (Cho & Han, 2021;Korkın, 2019;Monika et al, 2023).…”