The Psychosocial Adjustment of African American Youth from Single Mother Homes: The Relative Contribution of Parents and Peers

Abstract

This study examined the relative roles of parents and peers in the psychosocial adjustment of African American youth (7-15 years old) from single mother homes (N = 242). Main effects of both positive parenting and peer relationship quality were found for youth depressive symptoms. In addition, a main effect of peer relationship quality and an interaction of Positive Parenting x Peer Relationship Quality emerged for youth externalizing symptoms. When mothers engaged in higher levels of positive parenting behavior, peer relationship quality was not associated with youth externalizing symptomatology. When mothers engaged in lower levels of positive parenting behavior, however, higher peer relationship quality was associated with greater youth externalizing symptomatology. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

Close Friendships and Mental Health of Korean American Adolescents: The Moderating Effect of Personality

“…Our findings regarding the lack of any influence of close peer relationships on mental health problems for our entire sample are in conflict with results from a number of studies that showed a significant relationship between poor quality of peer relationships and depression, social anxiety, and internalizing problems (Bosacki et al, 2007;Chester et al, 2007;Cho & Bae, 2005;McDonald et al, 2010;Mendle et al, 2012). However, our findings are consistent with results from 2 studies showing that the quality of close friendships was not a significant factor in delinquency (Selfhout et al, 2008) or in the development of overall mental health problems (Okello, Nakimuli-Mpungu, Musisi, Broekaert, & Derluyn, 2014).…”

“…Chester, Jones, Zalot, and Sterrett (2007) found that African American youth who had better quality in their peer relationships had lower levels of depressive symptoms, less aggression, and fewer delinquent behaviors.…”

Covitality Constructs as Predictors of Psychological Well-being and Depression for Secondary School Students

“…A general review of the literature indicates that a belief in others is positively related to psychological well-being (Resnick et al 1997;Jose et al 2012). In particular, increased peer support in adolescence has been found to predict lower levels of depression in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies (Allen et al 2006;Chester et al 2007). School support and school connectedness are linked to a number of positive youth outcomes including increased self-esteem, self-efficacy, optimism, and positive peer relationships (Osterman 2000;Resnick et al 1997) and are negatively related to depression, anxiety, emotional distress, suicidality, and the development of conduct problems in adolescence (Loukas et al 2010;Shochet et al 2006).…”

Protective Mechanisms for Depression among Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth: Empirical Findings, Issues, and Recommendations

“…Additionally, the associations involving scholastic achievement among Hispanic and African American youth were unexpected, since this exacerbated depression when exposed to cumulative risk (Chester et al 2007;Resnick et al 1997). Luthar and McMahon (1996) note that when there are opposing values between one's peer group and those of larger society, scholastic-minded minority youth may be pressured by peers to conform to group standards.…”