Developmental Commentary: Ecological Perspectives on Parental Influences During Adolescence

Abstract

Adolescence is marked by change and renegotiation in almost every arena -- biological, social, and cognitive development; identity development; changes in peer relations and friendships; a renegotiation of family relationships, especially the parent-adolescent relationship; and school transitions. Further, for African Americans, adolescence is also marked by the exploration of ethnic or racial identity, which is shaped by parents' ethnic socialization and interactions with an increasingly diverse peer group. This article provides a developmental, cultural, and contextual framework for understanding changes in parenting and parental influences vis-a-vis peers. The normative developmental changes in adolescent outcomes, parenting, and parent-adolescent relationships are discussed as they are shaped by neighborhood characteristics, family-level socioeconomic status, and ethnicity and are related to mental health and developmental outcomes across late childhood through adolescence.

Integrating Etiological Models of Social Anxiety and Depression in Youth: Evidence for a Cumulative Interpersonal Risk Model

“…Twins and family members are more likely to share environments early in life and not in adulthood, thus shared environment factors, such as parenting, would likely exert more influence in early to middle childhood. In contrast, nonshared environmental influences, such as the peer group, might likely exert more influence on anxiety, and depression, in adolescence, given that parents and adolescents spend less time together as adolescents begin to spend more time with peers (Hill et al 2007).…”

The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Mothers’ Parenting Practices for Urban, Low-Income Adolescents

“…In addition, adolescents and parents may disagree about the amount of autonomy granted to the adolescent. Thus, the number and intensity of conflicts between parents and their adolescents may increase (Allison and Schultz 2004;Hill et al 2007;Paikoff and Brooks-Gunn 1991) as autonomy is negotiated. By focusing on the parenting of adolescents among mothers who have low incomes and live in urban communities, the current study builds on previous research of parenting and IPV which has largely focused on parenting of young children.…”

“…Consequently, parents face unique challenges at this developmental stage. Adolescents spend increasing amounts of time with friends and peers, and they may aspire to conform to peer values and behavioral norms that conflict with parent socialization goals (Hill et al 2007;Paikoff and BrooksGunn 1991). In addition, adolescents and parents may disagree about the amount of autonomy granted to the adolescent.…”

Role of Micro- and Mesosystems in Shaping an Adolescent

“…Gaps in communication, parental stress, dysfunctional home environments and use of corporal punishment were found to be associated with problem behaviors 21,22 . A breakdown in communication with either parent was associated with anxiety 24 while unsupportive parenting and use of harsh discipline may precipitate disregard for family norms 25 .…”

“…While it is true that adolescents are monitoredto a lesser extent than in childhood, it is important that they feel acknowledged and have the family as a strong buffer 20 . Nevertheless, with increasing age, adolescents acknowledged experiencing higher levels of loneliness, insomnia, anxiety and a sense of hopelessness in various study settings 19,21,22 .…”