Exploring the Effects of Parental Involvement on Broad and Specific Dimensions of Behavioral Problems in Adolescence

Few studies have differentiated the specificity from the generality of the associations between parental involvement and adolescent behavioral problems across levels of the psychopathology hierarchy. Among 537 adolescents aged 11-17 years, the current study considered the extent to which associations between mother- and father- involvement and behavioral problems (assessed via the parent-reported Child Behavior Checklist) were unique to a specific dimension or reflective of associations with higher-order factors. The hierarchical structure of behavioral problems fit well, with total problems at the top, internalizing and externalizing at the second level, and eight specific symptom dimensions at the third level. Mother and father involvement were protective factors for withdrawn/depressed symptoms and risk factors for anxious/depressed symptoms that were not accounted for by internalizing or total problems. Mother involvement was also a protective factor for rule-breaking behavior and a risk factor for social problems symptoms and aggressive behavior symptoms that were not accounted for by externalizing or total problems.

Automated summary

This study investigated the unique associations between parental involvement and adolescent behavioral problems, finding that these associations were not explained by internalizing or externalizing problems. Parental involvement can be both protective and risk factors for different types of symptoms in adolescents.