Adolescent–Parent Relationships: Progress, Processes, and Prospects

Abstract

The nature of adolescent–parent relationships has been a topic of enduring concern in developmental science. In this article, we review theory and current research on several central topics. First, we define adolescence as a developmental period and briefly discuss current theoretical and analytical approaches. Then, we consider adolescent–parent relationship quality, including developmental trends and individual differences in negative interactions, positive relationships, and conflict resolution, as well as research that examines relationship quality within different family subsystems. Next, we discuss effects of emotional variability and flexibility on parent–adolescent relationships and review research on adolescents’ and parents’ beliefs about parental authority legitimacy. This is followed by a discussion of current research on parenting effects on adolescent–parent relationships, including approaches that provide greater specificity in defining parental control and its links with relationship quality, as well as research on parental monitoring and adolescent information management. We conclude this article with directions for future research.

Opportunities and peer support for aggression and delinquency during adolescence in nine countries

“…Across cultural groups, opportunities and peer support for aggression and delinquency increased from age 12 to age 15. Although these findings concern age differences in opportunities and peer support for problem behavior, they are consistent with theories that predict an increase in antisocial behavior during adolescence (Moffitt, 1993; Patterson et al., 1998) and with empirical evidence that, across cultures, autonomy from parents increases across adolescence (Smetana & Rote, 2019). Our peer support variables align with the construct of injunctive norms, which characterize the extent to which adolescents perceive their peers as regarding particular behaviors as acceptable, in contrast to descriptive norms, which involve adolescents’ perceptions of their peers’ behaviors without reference to whether peers encourage others to engage in similar behaviors (Pedersen et al., 2017).…”

“…Second, descriptively, how do opportunities and peer support for aggression and delinquency change over the course of early to mid‐adolescence in nine diverse countries? We hypothesized that perceived opportunities for aggression and delinquency would increase from early to mid‐adolescence, as adolescents across cultural groups have been found to gain autonomy through adolescence, even in cultural groups that emphasize filial piety and the maintenance of parental authority in many aspects of adolescents’ lives (Smetana & Rote, 2019). We also hypothesized that perceived peer support for aggression and delinquency would increase from early to mid‐adolescence across cultures.…”

The Role of the Family’s Emotional Climate in the Links between Parent-Adolescent Communication and Adolescent Psychosocial Functioning

“…Furthermore, the positive link between parental behavioral control and adolescent delinquency was found only in families with a poor emotional climate. One explanation of such findings concerns adolescents’ beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority (Smetana and Rote 2019 ). As children make the transition to adolescence, their need for autonomy and jurisdiction over personal issues grows.…”

A Multidimensional Perspective on Former Spouses' Ongoing Relationships: Associations With Children's Postdivorce Well‐Being

“…Thus, they may react more negatively to disruptions in those domains due to parental divorce. Because youth are typically granted increasing autonomy as they mature (Smetana & Rote, 2019), they may be able to remove themselves from ongoing conflicts between parents. Finally, due to youth's greater cognitive development, they may be able to make greater sense of their parents' divorce and be able to cope with changes to their families (Afifi et al, 2006).…”