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Abstract

Inspired by the tremendous impact of Robert McMahon’s career, this study evaluated an intergenerational cascade model in which young adult conduct problems may serve as a risk pathway linking generation 1 (G1) parenting and family climate in adolescence with generation 2 parenting quality and family climate with their children (G2-G3). Our sample included 396 parents (Mage = 28.3; 70% women; child Mage = 3.96, 48% girls) who have participated in the PROSPER study since they were in 6th grade. Our developmental model included a random intercept cross-lagged panel model assessing bidirectional relations between family climate and effective discipline, assessed over six measurement occasions from 6th through 10th grade (G1). In turn, random intercepts for family climate and effective discipline in adolescence predicted distal outcomes: young adult antisocial behavior (assessed at ages 20, 23, and 25) and G2-G3 parenting quality (warm, lax, harsh, and abusive parenting) and family-level (cohesion, conflict, routines) functioning. Cross-lagged analyses revealed a bidirectional relation between G1 family processes: in early adolescence, higher levels of a positive family climate were associated with increases in effective discipline; in middle adolescence, the direction of effects reversed, with effective discipline predicting increases in positive family climate. In terms of cascading effects, a more positive G1 family climate was associated with reduced risk for young adult antisocial behavior, but no effect was evident for G1 effective discipline. Antisocial behavior was linked with all three aspects of G2-G3 family climate and with lower levels of parental warmth. Direct, domain-specific intergenerational links were found for G1 family climate with G2-G3 family-level functioning and G1 effective discipline with more effective G2-G3 parenting.

Conclusion

Family relationships and effective discipline during childhood and adolescence are key family protective factors for conduct problems. The current study expands on this literature by connecting these family protective factors in G1 with G2 long-term risk for antisocial behavior and ultimate links with G2-G3 parenting quality and family climate. Indeed, the intergenerational underpinnings of the childrearing environment are complex and multiply determined. Our findings support young adult antisocial behavior as a robust risk factor, particularly for the G2-G3 family climate, and underscore continuity processes in which G1-G2 discipline predicts G2-G3 parenting practices, and G1-G2 family climate predicts G2-G3 family-level functioning. Intervention models should engage families of adolescents to promote family relationships and effective parenting practices, such as HNC and other gold-standard programs.

Publication Type: Journal Article

Focus Area: Foundational Science