Detouring in the family system as an antecedent of children’s adjustment problems.

Abstract

Guided by conceptualizations of relational boundaries from family systems theory, this study examined unique links between detouring (e.g., alliance between parents against child) and young children's psychological functioning after accounting for general family negativity and conflict. Participants in this longitudinal (i.e., 2 annual waves of data collection), multimethod (i.e., observation, survey, semistructured interview), multiinformant (i.e., parent, teacher, observer) study included 218 young children (mean [M] age ϭ 5.76 years) and their families. The findings from cross-lagged panel analysis indicated that detouring uniquely predicted increases in children's externalizing problems, hostile attribution bias, and peer rejection and victimization over a 1-year period (i.e., the transition from kindergarten to first grade). Conversely, the findings failed to support a child effects model in that child adjustment problems did not predict increases in detouring or family negativity and conflict over time.

Interparental Conflict and Early Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: Parent-Child Triangulation as the Mediator and Grandparent Support as the Moderator

“…However, some other work has implied that the association between parent-child triangulation and child development may vary across the dimensions of triangulation and cultural contexts. Contrary to the compelling evidence on the adverse effect of cross-generational coalition and scapegoating on child adjustment (Coe et al, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2017 ), there have been mixed findings on the association between parentification and child adjustment. Some studies conducted in Western societies (Goldner et al, 2022 ; Pakenham & Cox, 2012 ) indicated that increased engagement in parentification was linked with poorer adjustment.…”

Examining the biological impacts of parent–child relationship dynamics on preschool‐aged children who have experienced adversity

“…Parent-child relational boundaries were assessed from videotaped 15min observations of parent-child free play tasks. We adapted a family boundary observational rating system used in prior studies (Coe et al, 2018(Coe et al, , 2020 for use in the parent-child free play task. Using three 9point scales ranging from 1 ("not at all characteristic") to 9 ("highly characteristic"), the videotaped tasks were coded for the degree to which each parent-child dyad displayed cohesion, enmeshment, and disengagement (described below).…”

Marital dissatisfaction, psychological control and parent-child conflict in Chinese families - An actor–partner interdependence model analysis

“…Being triggered by the spouse's stresses or hostility, mothers may use maternal psychological control to safeguard the children's obedience towards them and/or relieve their tension (Gao et al, 2019). Under this situation, "scapegoating" (Yahav & Sharlin, 2002) or "detouring" (Coe et al, 2020) may happen. As studies on father-perceived marital dissatisfaction, detouring, scapegoating, and maternal psychological control are almost non-existent in the Chinese context, future research on this area is suggested.…”

“…In the scientific literature, research examining the associations of marital qualities with parenting and parent-child relationship has been predominated by studies in the U.S. and Europe (e.g., Coe et al, 2020; Grych et al, 2004; Ponnet et al, 2013), while only very few studies have been conducted in Chinese societies (e.g., Chang et al, 2004; Shek, 2000). Based on the Confucian thoughts where familism is emphasized, family harmony, solidarity and prosperity are regarded as core values of Chinese families (Yeh & Yang, 1997).…”

“…Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for the spillover hypothesis. First, according to family systems theories (e.g., Minuchin, 1974), parents may distract their negative feelings from marital problems to focusing on children’s behaviour by family processes such as “detouring” (i.e., parental alliance against their children; Coe et al, 2020) and “scapegoating” (i.e., blaming of the children for family conflicts; Yahav & Sharlin, 2002). These processes may reduce their tension from poor marital relationship but at the same time increase parental rejection of their children (Fauber et al, 1990).…”