Parental Influences on Adolescent Problem Behavior: Revisiting Stattin and Kerr

Abstract

High school students (approximately 14-18 years old; N=2,568) completed questionnaires in which they reported on their involvement in substance use and delinquency, and their perceptions of parental warmth, control, monitoring, and knowledge. Three alternative models were compared describing the nature of relations among these variables. Problem behavior was best predicted by a model that included indirect effects of warmth, control, and monitoring (all by way of parental knowledge), as well as direct effects of control and monitoring. Analyses are framed and findings are discussed with reference to recent work by Stattin and Kerr (2000; Kerr & Stattin, 2000) on the measurement and meaning of parental monitoring.

The Effects of Parental Monitoring and Communication on Adolescent Substance Use and Risky Sexual Activity: A Systematic Review

“…They found this assertion by Statin & Kerr [20] to be in contradiction with the large body of literature particularly because they disregard the likelihood of adolescents' spontaneous disclosure of information. This spontaneity in disclosure is linked with parental behaviours more specifically parents exercising warmth and support towards their children which has been shown to enhance parental knowledge of adolescent activities [11]. Thus, due to the varying debates, this study systematically reviewed research which highlighted the importance parenting practices have on adolescents and their risk-taking behaviour particularly the debate around whether the effect was dependant on child disclosure or parenting practices.…”

“…This means that parental monitoring cannot be effective if adolescents view this action as intrusive and may refuse to disclose their daily activities. Fletcher, Steinberg, & Williams-Wheeler [11] later assessed these findings of Statin & Kerr [10] which ultimately state that parental monitoring has little result and is dependent on adolescent disclosure. They found this assertion by Statin & Kerr [20] to be in contradiction with the large body of literature particularly because they disregard the likelihood of adolescents' spontaneous disclosure of information.…”

“…Parenting practices include parental communication, parental monitoring as well as parental knowledge, which some have argued form part of parental monitoring activities [7,11]. Positive parenting practices, such as communication and monitoring, are shown to delay risk behaviour in youth not yet exposed to risk behaviour, control the behaviour of youth experienced in risk behaviour, and promotes optimal youth development [12][13][14].…”

Análisis Psicométrico de la Escala Parental Breve (EPB): Invarianza Demográfica y Longitudinal en Adolescentes Chilenos

“…Los resultados de los estudios que han utilizado el estilo parental, en su mayoría, han sido robustos, en particular, la asociación entre calidez parental y resultados positivos en niños de diferentes culturas (Fletcher, Steinberg & Williams-Wheeler, 2004;Steinberg, 2001;Steinberg et al, 1991). No obstante, persisten algunas interrogantes respecto de la manera apropiada de medir el estilo parental (Darling & Toyokawa, 1997) y las características de algunas prácticas (e.g., monitoreo, Fletcher et al, 2004;Soenens & Vansteenkiste, 2005;, así como preguntas relativas a la capacidad de generalización de los resultados en diferentes poblaciones (Vazsonyi, Hibbert & Snider, 2003).…”

“…No obstante, persisten algunas interrogantes respecto de la manera apropiada de medir el estilo parental (Darling & Toyokawa, 1997) y las características de algunas prácticas (e.g., monitoreo, Fletcher et al, 2004;Soenens & Vansteenkiste, 2005;, así como preguntas relativas a la capacidad de generalización de los resultados en diferentes poblaciones (Vazsonyi, Hibbert & Snider, 2003).…”