The interpersonal antecedents of supportive parenting: A prospective, longitudinal study from infancy to adulthood.

Abstract

This study drew on prospective, longitudinal data to test the hypothesis that the intergenerational transmission of positive parenting is mediated by competence in subsequent relationships with peers and romantic partners. Interview-based ratings of supportive parenting were completed with a sample of 113 individuals (46% male) followed from birth to age 32. Results indicated that supportive parenting during adulthood was predicted by observed maternal sensitivity during the first three years of life, even after controlling for adults’ age at first childbirth and adults’ socioeconomic status and educational attainment at the time of the second generation parenting assessments. Moreover, the intergenerational association in parenting was mediated by later competence in relationships with peers and romantic partners. Specifically, sensitive caregiving in infancy and early childhood predicted teachers’ rankings of children’s social competence with peers during childhood and adolescence, which in turn forecasted later interview ratings of romantic relationship competence during young adulthood, which in turn predicted supportive parenting in adulthood. Findings are discussed with respect to current theory and research on the intergenerational transmission of parenting.

Romantic functioning mediates prospective associations between childhood abuse and neglect and parenting outcomes in adulthood

“…This study also provides compelling evidence of romantic relationship functioning as a plausible mediator of intergenerational continuity in adverse caregiving. Findings echo prior research from the MLSRA showing that early experiences of maternal sensitivity shape parenting behavior nearly 30 years later, mediated through experiences with peers and romantic partners in the intervening years (Raby et al, 2015). They also extend findings from this research group linking childhood abuse and neglect experiences to multiple dimensions of romantic relationship functioning during adulthood (Labella et al, 2018).…”

Gestational hormone profiles predict human maternal behavior at 1-year postpartum

“…These findings further add to the existing literature because they also document associations between sex steroid hormones and objective observations of human maternal behavior (as opposed to self-reports as shown previously). The onset and development of human maternal behaviors clearly are multiply determined and these critical influences include psychosocial, environmental, biological and genetic mechanisms (Chittleborough et al, 2012; Mileva-Seitz et al, 2013; Raby et al, 2015; Rilling and Young, 2014; Zelkowitz et al, 2014). Here we provide additional support for the importance of the biological pathway in this process.…”

Parenting stress and development of late preterm infants at 4 months corrected age

“…Parenting stress is multi-dimensional, can diminish parent-child interactions, and negatively affect children's social development (Ashiabi & O'Neal, 2015), with mutually increasing effects (Neece, Green, & Baker, 2012). Higher stress in the parent domain has been linked to: (a) decreased sense of competence as a parent (Slagt, Deković, de Haan, van den Akker, & Prinzie, 2012); (b) lack of social support from family and friends (Hostinar & Gunnar, 2015); (c) lack of emotional closeness to the child (Tharner et al, 2012); (d) inability to recognize infant's social cues (Landsem, Handegard, Tunby, Ulvund, & Ronning, 2014); (e) deteriorating parental health (Treyvaud et al, 2011); experiencing the parental role as restricting freedom and identity (Hildingsson & Thomas, 2014); (g) depressive symptoms (Dunkel Schetter & Tanner, 2012); and (h) lack of emotional and tangible support for parenting from the other parent (Raby et al, 2015).…”