Parents Influencing Peers/Peers Influencing Parents? A Transactional Model of Autonomy Development...

Parents Influencing Peers/Peers Influencing Parents?Parents Influencing Peers/Peers Influencing Parents?

A Transactional Model of Autonomy Development from Age 13 to 18A Transactional Model of Autonomy Development from Age 13 to 18

Joseph P. AllenJoseph P. Allen

Jill AntonishakJill Antonishak

F. Christy McFarlandF. Christy McFarland

Jessica R Meyer Jessica R Meyer

University of VirginiaUniversity of Virginia

Collaborators:Maryfrances Porter, Ph.D.Penny MarshKathleen McElhaney, Ph.D.Nell Manning

Farah WilliamsDebbie Land, Ph.D.Katie LittleJennifer Haynes

Martin HoMindy Schmidt, Ph.D.Glenda Insabella, Ph.D.Wrenn ThompsonJoanna Chango

Copies of this and related papers are available at:WWW.TEENRESEARCH.ORG

Autonomy in Families with Adolescents Autonomy in Families with Adolescents

Long-recognized Importance Of Autonomy Processes:Long-recognized Importance Of Autonomy Processes:

For Development Within The FamilyFor Development Within The Family

Development Beyond ItDevelopment Beyond It

Frequently Assumed That Frequently Assumed That ParentsParents Are Directors Of This Process Are Directors Of This Process

Role Of “Child Effects” Has Received Far Less AttentionRole Of “Child Effects” Has Received Far Less Attention

The “Dance” Of Parent-teen InteractionsThe “Dance” Of Parent-teen Interactions

Potential Pathways of Family-Peer InfluencePotential Pathways of Family-Peer Influence

Family Relationships Family Relationships Peer RelationshipsPeer Relationships Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Contexts?Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Contexts?

Peer Behavior Peer Behavior Toward TeensToward Teens Teen Behavior with ParentsTeen Behavior with Parents Can Behavior with Parents Be Seen As Sequelae of Experiences Can Behavior with Parents Be Seen As Sequelae of Experiences

with Peers?with Peers?

Peer Ecology Peer Ecology Parenting BehaviorParenting Behavior How Does The Peer Group Influence Parenting Behavior?How Does The Peer Group Influence Parenting Behavior?

How much permeability exists betweenHow much permeability exists between

the ecology of the family and the ecology of the family and

the ecology of the peer group?the ecology of the peer group?

The Triad of Problematic Family InteractionsThe Triad of Problematic Family Interactions

The Non-Autonomous TeenThe Non-Autonomous Teen The Hostile Parent-Teen InteractionThe Hostile Parent-Teen Interaction The Overcontrolling ParentThe Overcontrolling Parent

Where do these things Where do these things come fromcome from?? Beyond blaming the parentBeyond blaming the parent

SampleSample

184 Adolescents, their Parents, Best Friends, and Other Friends184 Adolescents, their Parents, Best Friends, and Other Friends

Equal numbers of Males and FemalesEqual numbers of Males and Females

Assessed Annually, Beginning at Age 13Assessed Annually, Beginning at Age 13

Highly Socio-economically Diverse (Median Family Income= $40- Highly Socio-economically Diverse (Median Family Income= $40- $60K)$60K)

31% African American; 69% European American31% African American; 69% European American

Intensive Interviews and Observations with all parties (Parents, teens, Intensive Interviews and Observations with all parties (Parents, teens, best friends, other friends) (Total N over first 6 years ~ 1200).best friends, other friends) (Total N over first 6 years ~ 1200).


Family RelationshipsFamily Relationships Peer RelationshipsPeer Relationships Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship

Contexts?Contexts?




Family Relationships Family Relationships Peer RelationshipsPeer RelationshipsAre There Continuities in Autonomy Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Contexts?Across Relationship Contexts?

Peer Relationship Quality Predicted by Observed Family Peer Relationship Quality Predicted by Observed Family Interactions Interactions

Predict Predict Change Change Over Time in Autonomy Processes with PeersOver Time in Autonomy Processes with Peers

Short-term Change from Age 13 to 14Short-term Change from Age 13 to 14

Measures: Autonomy in Observed Measures: Autonomy in Observed Mother-Teen InteractionsMother-Teen Interactions

Coded from an eight-minute interaction around a standing topic of Coded from an eight-minute interaction around a standing topic of disagreementdisagreement Autonomy & Relatedness Coding System Autonomy & Relatedness Coding System (Allen et al., 2004)(Allen et al., 2004)

Displays of AutonomyDisplays of Autonomy Stating reasons for disagreeingStating reasons for disagreeing Confidence in speakingConfidence in speaking

Measures: Teen Assertiveness Measures: Teen Assertiveness (as Observed by Closest Friend)(as Observed by Closest Friend)

Assertive Influence Scale from Interpersonal Competence Assertive Influence Scale from Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (Buhrmester et al., 1988)Questionnaire (Buhrmester et al., 1988)

8 items reported by peer about target teen’s ability at:8 items reported by peer about target teen’s ability at: Getting people to go along with what he/she wantsGetting people to go along with what he/she wants Taking chargeTaking charge Sticking up for his/herselfSticking up for his/herself Voicing his/her desires and opinionsVoicing his/her desires and opinions

Predicting Change in Assertiveness with Best FriendPredicting Change in Assertiveness with Best Friend

Teen Assertiveness (Age 14)Teen Assertiveness (Age 14) RR22 Total Total RR22

Step I.Step I. Teen Assertiveness (Age 13)Teen Assertiveness (Age 13) .16+.16+ .03+.03+ .03+.03+

Step II.Step II.

Autonomy with Mother (Age 13)Autonomy with Mother (Age 13).21**.21**

.06**.06** .09**.09**

Autonomy with Mother Predicts Increasing Assertiveness with a Best Friend Over Time


Family RelationshipsFamily Relationships Peer RelationshipsPeer Relationships Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Contexts?Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Contexts?




Measures: Teens’ Verbal Abuse in Disagreements Measures: Teens’ Verbal Abuse in Disagreements with Mother (Maternal Report)with Mother (Maternal Report)

Psychological Aggression Scale from Conflict Tactics Scale Psychological Aggression Scale from Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus, 1979)(Straus, 1979)

6-items, Maternal Report:6-items, Maternal Report: Insulting or swearing at ParentInsulting or swearing at Parent Sulking/refusing to talkSulking/refusing to talk Stomping out of roomStomping out of room

Assessed at age 13 and again at age 17Assessed at age 13 and again at age 17

Measures: Autonomy & Relatedness in Observed Measures: Autonomy & Relatedness in Observed Teen-Peer InteractionsTeen-Peer Interactions

Coded from an eight-minute interaction around a hypothetical Coded from an eight-minute interaction around a hypothetical disagreementdisagreement Teen with their closest friendTeen with their closest friend

Displays of Autonomy by PeerDisplays of Autonomy by Peer Stating reasons for disagreeingStating reasons for disagreeing

Displays of Relatedness by PeerDisplays of Relatedness by Peer Collaborative Behaviors (close listening, looking for mutual solutions)Collaborative Behaviors (close listening, looking for mutual solutions)

Predicting Change in Teen Verbal Abuse Toward Predicting Change in Teen Verbal Abuse Toward MotherMother

Verbal Abuse (Age 17)Verbal Abuse (Age 17)

RR22 Total Total RR22

Step I.Step I. Teen Verbal Abuse to Mom (Age 13)Teen Verbal Abuse to Mom (Age 13)

.45***.45*** .24***.24***.24***.24***

Predicting Change in Teen Verbal Abuse Toward Predicting Change in Teen Verbal Abuse Toward MotherMother

Verbal Abuse (Age 17)Verbal Abuse (Age 17)


Step I.Step I. Teen Verbal Abuse to Mom (Age 13)Teen Verbal Abuse to Mom (Age 13)

.45***.45*** .24***.24***.24***.24***

Step II.Step II.

Use of Reasoning by Friend (Age 13)Use of Reasoning by Friend (Age 13)-.15**-.15**

Collaborative Behavior by FriendCollaborative Behavior by Friend-.22**-.22**

Statistics for StepStatistics for Step.08***.08***

.32***.32***

Autonomy & Relatedness Decreasing Verbal Abuse Modeled by Friend Toward Mom (Ages 13 to 17)


Family Relationships Family Relationships Peer RelationshipsPeer Relationships Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship

Contexts?Contexts?


with Peers?with Peers? Peer Ecology Peer Ecology Parenting BehaviorParenting Behavior

How Does The Peer Group Influence Parenting Behavior?How Does The Peer Group Influence Parenting Behavior?


Family Relationships Family Relationships Peer RelationshipsPeer Relationships Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Contexts?Are There Continuities in Autonomy Across Relationship Contexts?




Measures: Maternal Psychological ControlMeasures: Maternal Psychological Control

Psychological Control Scale from Child Report of Parenting Psychological Control Scale from Child Report of Parenting Behavior Inventory (Schludermann et al., 1970)Behavior Inventory (Schludermann et al., 1970) Assessed at age 13 and again at age 17Assessed at age 13 and again at age 17 Maternal self-reportMaternal self-report 10-item scale assessing parent use of guilt, anxiety, love withdrawal 10-item scale assessing parent use of guilt, anxiety, love withdrawal

or other psychological methods to control behavioror other psychological methods to control behavior I tell my child if s/he really cared for me, s/he would not do things I tell my child if s/he really cared for me, s/he would not do things

that cause me to worrythat cause me to worry I want to control whatever my child doesI want to control whatever my child does I am less friendly with my child if s/he does not see things my wayI am less friendly with my child if s/he does not see things my way

Maternal Psychological ControlMaternal Psychological Control

Associated with Numerous Negative OutcomesAssociated with Numerous Negative Outcomes

But WHY do parents engage in it?But WHY do parents engage in it?

The role of fear…fear that may be grounded in reality.The role of fear…fear that may be grounded in reality.

Measures: Academic ValuesMeasures: Academic Values

Adapted from Questions in Peer Pressure Inventory Adapted from Questions in Peer Pressure Inventory (Brown, 1982)(Brown, 1982)

5 questions regarding values toward school work, 5 questions regarding values toward school work, assessing importance teen places on:assessing importance teen places on: Doing well in schoolDoing well in school Getting good gradesGetting good grades Being polite to teachersBeing polite to teachers Being liked by teachersBeing liked by teachers Avoiding schoolwork wherever possible (reverse coded)Avoiding schoolwork wherever possible (reverse coded)

Measures: Sexual BehaviorMeasures: Sexual Behavior

Ever having had voluntary sexual intercourse.Ever having had voluntary sexual intercourse.

Measures: Delinquent BehaviorMeasures: Delinquent Behavior

Frequency of engaging in each of 38 different Frequency of engaging in each of 38 different illegal acts over the past year (Elliott & Ageton, illegal acts over the past year (Elliott & Ageton, 1983). 1983).

Items including: Items including: purposely damaged or destroyed property not purposely damaged or destroyed property not

belonging to youbelonging to you stolen or tried to steal something worth more than stolen or tried to steal something worth more than

$50 $50 been involved in gang fightsbeen involved in gang fights

Are Parents Becoming Controlling Because They Are Parents Becoming Controlling Because They Fear What They See in the Friends of Their Teens?Fear What They See in the Friends of Their Teens?

Predicting Change in Maternal Psychological ControlPredicting Change in Maternal Psychological Control

Psychological Control (Age 17)Psychological Control (Age 17)


Step I.Step I. Mat’l Psychological Control (Age 13)Mat’l Psychological Control (Age 13) .69***.69***

.47***.47***.47***.47***





.47***.47***.47***.47***

Step II.Step II.

Peer Valuing Academics (Age 17)Peer Valuing Academics (Age 17) -.-.1919****

Statistics for StepStatistics for Step .04**.04** .51***.51***

Peer Devaluing of Academics (13) Decreasing Verbal Abuse Toward Mom (Ages 13 to 17)





.47***.47***.47***.47***

Step II.Step II.

Peer Valuing Academics (Age 17)Peer Valuing Academics (Age 17) -.-.1919****

Teen Valuing Academics (Age 17)Teen Valuing Academics (Age 17) -.-.0303


Peer values effects are not surrogates for the teen’s values





.47***.47***.47***.47***

Step II.Step II.

Peer Sexual Experience (Age 17)Peer Sexual Experience (Age 17) ..1818**


Peer Sexual Activity Can Explain Increased Maternal Psychological Control Behavior (Ages 13 to 17)





.47***.47***.47***.47***

Step II.Step II.

Peer Sexual Experience (Age 17)Peer Sexual Experience (Age 17) ..1818**

Teen Sexual Experience (Age 17)Teen Sexual Experience (Age 17) -.-.0303


Peer Sexual Activity is not a surrogate for Teen Sexual Activity.





.49***.49***.49***.49***

Step II.Step II.

Peer Delinquency (Age 17)Peer Delinquency (Age 17) ..15*15*

Statistics for StepStatistics for Step .02+.02+ .51***.51***

Peer Delinquent Activity Can Explain Increased Maternal Psychological Control Behavior (Ages 13 to 17)





.49***.49***.49***.49***

Step II.Step II.

Peer Delinquency (Age 17)Peer Delinquency (Age 17) ..15*15*

Teen Delinquency (Age 17)Teen Delinquency (Age 17) ..0101

Statistics for StepStatistics for Step .02+.02+ .51***.51***

Peer Delinquent Activity is not a surrogate for Teen Delinquency.


Psychological Control (Age 17)Psychological Control (Age 17) RR22 Total Total RR22


.47***.47***.47***.47***

Step II.Step II.

Peer Academic Values (Age 17)Peer Academic Values (Age 17) -.18***-.18***

Peer Sexual Experience (Age 17)Peer Sexual Experience (Age 17) -.15*-.15*

Peer Delinquency (Age 17)Peer Delinquency (Age 17) .06.06

Statistics for StepStatistics for Step.06***.06***

.53***.53***

Peer Behavior Sums to Explain Increased Maternal Psychological Control Behavior (Ages 13 to 17)

ConclusionsConclusions

Beyond Child Effects to Peer EffectsBeyond Child Effects to Peer Effects

Permeability/Interpenetration of Family & Peer SystemsPermeability/Interpenetration of Family & Peer Systems

Psychological Control Doesn’t Emerge Psychological Control Doesn’t Emerge de novode novo

Beyond Parent BlamingBeyond Parent Blaming

This study was made possible by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health. Copies of this and related papers are available at:

WWW.TEENRESEARCH.ORG

LimitationsLimitations

Other important actors Other important actors

Non-experimental nature of our dataNon-experimental nature of our data

Observing a “dance” doesn’t tell us who’s in the leadObserving a “dance” doesn’t tell us who’s in the lead

This study was made possible by grants from the National Institute of Mental Health. Copies of this and related papers are available at:

WWW.TEENRESEARCH.ORG

Parents Influencing Peers/Peers Influencing Parents? A Transactional Model of Autonomy Development...

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