Mother-daughter conflict and adjustment in Mexican-origin families: Exploring the role of family and sociocultural context

Abstract

This study examined the role of mother–daughter conflict in both mothers' and daughters' adjustment. Drawing from ecologically oriented and person–environment fit models, the authors investigated how the family context, as defined by the transition to adolescent motherhood, and the sociocultural context, as measured by mother–daughter discrepancies in cultural orientations, shaped the associations between conflict and adjustment in Mexican‐origin families. Overall, conflict was positively related to mothers' and adolescents' depressive symptoms and adolescents' risky behaviors. This relation was strongest when daughters were more Mexican‐oriented than their mothers, and weakest when mothers were more Mexican‐oriented than their daughters. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Epidemiological research on parent–child conflict in the United States: subgroup variations by place of birth and ethnicity, 2002–2013

“…The study of parent–child conflict has been historically situated in the fields of sociology, psychology, and human development ( Laursen, Coy & Collins, 1998 ; Updegraff et al, 2012 ). Prominent among these lines of investigation are studies focused on understanding the influence of parent–child conflict on the development of maladaptive behavior in children and youth.…”

“…The current investigation responds to a call for research on cross-cultural similarities and differences of parent–child interactions ( Dmitrieva et al, 2004 ). Multi-ethnic studies in this domain may be particularly relevant when parent–child interactions such as frequent conflict are shaped by differences across cultures or ethnicities ( Uji et al, 2014 ; Updegraff et al, 2012 ). For example, recent studies contrasting Asian families suggest multi-ethnic variations in the combination of strict parental directives and control with a warm and nurturing relationship ( Lau & Fung, 2013 ; Tran & Birman, 2010 ).…”

“…Growing global interest in public health research has prompted researchers to call for investigations of cross-cultural differences and similarities in developmental processes, with attention to fundamental structures of parent-adolescent relationships, family dynamics, and parenting practices that might vary according to ethnicity ( Acevedo-Garcia et al, 2012 ; Dmitrieva et al, 2004 ). A focus on multi-ethnic samples within the United States can be motivated without difficulty when one appreciates recent dramatic changes and increased diversity in the US population structure and composition ( United States Census Bureau, 2012 ).…”

“…In addition, multi-ethnic studies with a focus on parent–child conflict have importance to the extent that traditional conceptions of parent–child relationships are subject to cross-cultural influences ( Dmitrieva et al, 2004 ; Updegraff et al, 2012 ). For example, in many US studies to date, emphasis has been given to ‘acculturation stress’ or ‘acculturation gap-distress’ hypotheses, according to which cultural differences between immigrant parents and children can create or modulate parent–child conflict ( Lau et al, 2005 ; Updegraff et al, 2012 ). Partial support for these hypothesized relationships can be seen, but recent studies illustrate a need to refine basic conceptualizations ( Updegraff et al, 2012 ).…”

“…For example, in many US studies to date, emphasis has been given to ‘acculturation stress’ or ‘acculturation gap-distress’ hypotheses, according to which cultural differences between immigrant parents and children can create or modulate parent–child conflict ( Lau et al, 2005 ; Updegraff et al, 2012 ). Partial support for these hypothesized relationships can be seen, but recent studies illustrate a need to refine basic conceptualizations ( Updegraff et al, 2012 ). That is, possibilities for parent–child conflict might be enhanced for immigrant families of one ethnic subgroup, but might be dampened for other ethnic subgroups ( Shearman & Dumlao, 2008 ; Yu & Singh, 2012 ).…”