Premium
Chaos, danger, and maternal parenting in families: Links with adolescent adjustment in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Author(s) -
DeaterDeckard Kirby,
Godwin Jennifer,
Lansford Jennifer E.,
Tirado Liliana Maria Uribe,
Yotanyamaneewong Saengduean,
Alampay Liane Peña,
AlHassan Suha M.,
Bacchini Dario,
Bornstein Marc H.,
Chang Lei,
Di Giunta Laura,
Dodge Kenneth A.,
Oburu Paul,
Pastorelli Concetta,
Skinner Ann T.,
Sorbring Emma,
Steinberg Laurence,
Tapanya Sombat
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
developmental science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.801
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1467-7687
pISSN - 1363-755X
DOI - 10.1111/desc.12855
Subject(s) - psychology , developmental psychology , structural equation modeling , low and middle income countries , hostility , parenting styles , affection , poverty , developing country , clinical psychology , social psychology , statistics , mathematics , economics , economic growth
The current longitudinal study is the first comparative investigation across low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) to test the hypothesis that harsher and less affectionate maternal parenting (child age 14 years, on average) statistically mediates the prediction from prior household chaos and neighborhood danger (at 13 years) to subsequent adolescent maladjustment (externalizing, internalizing, and school performance problems at 15 years). The sample included 511 urban families in six LMICs: China, Colombia, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, and Thailand. Multigroup structural equation modeling showed consistent associations between chaos, danger, affectionate and harsh parenting, and adolescent adjustment problems. There was some support for the hypothesis, with nearly all countries showing a modest indirect effect of maternal hostility (but not affection) for adolescent externalizing, internalizing, and scholastic problems. Results provide further evidence that chaotic home and dangerous neighborhood environments increase risk for adolescent maladjustment in LMIC contexts, via harsher maternal parenting.