Parental Interpersonal Sensitivity and Youth Social Problems: A Mediational Role for Child Emotion Dysregulation

Abstract

We examined the relations between parental interpersonal sensitivity and youth social problems and explored the mediational role of child emotion dysregulation. Mothers (N = 42; M age = 39.38) and fathers (N = 41; M age = 39.38) of youth aged 7-12 (N = 42; M age = 9.12) completed measures of their own interpersonal sensitivity and reported on their child's emotion regulation skills and social functioning. Maternal interpersonal sensitivity was positively associated with child social problems, and this relationship was fully mediated by child emotion dysregulation. A bootstrapping technique provided evidence for the significance of the mediation. For fathers, only the association between child emotion dysregulation and child social problems was significant. Our findings suggest one potential mechanism through which maternal behaviors relate to youth psychosocial functioning. Identification of such mechanisms contributes to the development of conceptual models of youth functioning and suggests specific targets for prevention and intervention efforts.

Emotions, Cognitions, and Well-Being

“…27–28). Emotions serve multiple purposes, including guiding adaptive functioning, coordinating social encounters, and conveying information about humans’ thoughts, feelings, and objectives (Suveg, Jacob, & Payne, 2010). Research has demonstrated that emotion dysregulation, or deficits in emotion regulation, can be linked to problems with interpersonal relationships (Denham, 1986; Eisenberg, Fabes, Guthrie, & Reiser, 2000; Eisenberg, Fabes, Murphy, & Maszk, 1995; Garner, 1996).…”

Parenting and Naturally Occurring Declines in the Antisocial Behavior of Children and Adolescents: A Process Model

“…Interventions studies raise the possibility that antisocial behavior declines without intervention when parents promote the skills required to resolve conflict and establish harmonious social relationships. Interactions with effective parents are important for learning these skills (e.g., Suveg, Jacob, & Payne, ). When parents are insensitive, children have low social competence and poor interpersonal relationships (Suveg et al, ).…”

“…Interactions with effective parents are important for learning these skills (e.g., Suveg, Jacob, & Payne, ). When parents are insensitive, children have low social competence and poor interpersonal relationships (Suveg et al, ). When families resolve problems constructively, children gain opportunities to understand contrasting perspectives and practice with skilled parents effective social behaviors (Hart, DeWolf, Wozniak, & Burts, ).…”

Feasibility trial of a psychoeducational intervention for parents with personality difficulties: The Helping Families Programme

“…Persistent problems in areas of personality functioning, such as emotional instability [7] and interpersonal hypersensitivity [8] , can affect a parent's capacity to offer the stable and responsive care required for healthy child development [9] . Children of parents with these complex interpersonal needs are more likely to require support from child mental health and social care professionals [10] .…”