Parental Physical Force and Alcohol Use in Emerging Adults: Mediation by Psychological Problems

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 2087-2109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ward Pollard ◽  
Cliff McKinney

Research has indicated that negative parenting practices, such as physical punishment, are associated with negative outcomes in children. These negative outcomes can present during childhood and during emerging adulthood. One negative consequence can be excessive alcohol use, a problematic outcome with its own myriad consequences. The goal of the current study was to examine the effects of parental physical force on emerging adult functioning, specifically alcohol and psychological problems. A sample of 488 young adults completed questionnaires on current perceptions related to alcohol-related problems, physical and psychological aggression by their parents experienced during the previous year, and current emotional and behavioral functioning. Results showed full mediation between paternal physical force and emerging adult alcohol problems by emerging adult psychological problems. Emerging adult psychological problems partially mediated the effect of maternal physical force on emerging adult alcohol problem. Gender did not moderate these effects. The results support existing literature suggesting that the use of parental physical force may lead to a chain reaction of problems, even during emerging adulthood. These results also reveal that emerging adults report currently receiving physical force from their parents, which brings to light a concerning lack of literature on the use of parental physical force on emerging adult children. These results advocate for positive parenting practives and efforts to teach them, even for emerging adult children. The results may also clinically suggest that paying attention to parental force in emerging adult clients could yield a better understanding of their current functioning, especially including excessive alcohol use.

2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 319-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cliff McKinney ◽  
Courtney S. Walker ◽  
Janet W. Kwan

Research has examined the different parenting styles that are present during emerging adulthood; however, less is known about potential parental conflict strategies that emerging adults may be experiencing during this developmental time period. Conflict strategies are conceptualized in the current study as parents’ efforts to regulate, correct, or enforce a consequence in response to their emerging adult child’s behavior. Previous research on discipline during childhood and adolescence has suggested the use of harsh discipline (e.g., use of physical force) leads to negative outcomes for children. Despite evidence linking harsh discipline methods to harmful outcomes in various developmental periods and suggested influence of parents in emerging adulthood, very little is known about how parents handle conflict with their emerging adult children. Thus, the present study investigated parental conflict strategies and mental health outcomes of emerging adults. Results revealed a significant parent–child gender interaction for non-violent strategies and psychological aggression. Moreover, results indicated that emerging adult children of parents who utilize similar levels of aggressive methods reported greater psychological problems. The findings from the current study underscore parents’ use of conflict strategies when interacting with their emerging adult children, and further emphasize the importance of future research in this area.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (9) ◽  
pp. 2491-2504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cliff McKinney ◽  
Janet W. Kwan

Research suggests that child perception of parenting styles may strongly influence child outcomes and parents must balance support and structure based on their emerging adult children’s changing needs. The current study examined emerging adult perceptions of parenting style in comparison with their preferences and how these characteristics interact to predict psychological problems. Significant interactions between preferred and perceived parenting style were found, several of which were further moderated by gender. Results suggest that emerging adults prefer parenting styles that grant autonomy, and males reported lower psychological problems when they also perceived such a parenting style, whereas females reported higher psychological problems. This may suggest that females experience more risky behaviors while at college when granted autonomy relative to males, thus accounting for their higher psychological problems. The current study emphasizes the ongoing impact of parental influences on emerging adult outcomes and that children’s preferences and perceptions influence parent–child gender dyads.


2020 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2095844
Author(s):  
Erica Szkody ◽  
Ellen H. Steele ◽  
Cliff McKinney

Current research supports the lasting effects of parenting styles on children and adolescents’ self-esteem, and internalizing and externalizing problems. Few studies have examined parenting style, self-esteem, and psychological problems together while considering gender. The current study explored the indirect effect of parenting style though self-esteem on emerging adult psychological problems as moderated by gender among 381 emerging adults. The most notable finding suggested that maternal authoritative parenting was related to higher levels of female self-esteem, which in turn related to lower levels of female psychological problems. Results indicated a relationship between higher levels of self-esteem and lower psychological problems. Findings from the current study contribute to research emphasizing the long-lasting effects of parenting style on emerging adult self-esteem and mental health, particularly among females.


Author(s):  
José F. Domene ◽  
Sarah M. Johnson

In this chapter, the authors address intersections between romantic relationship factors and the transition to work experience. They briefly summarize the nature of romantic relationships during emerging adulthood and then review research conducted around the world, which reveals that these two aspects of a person’s life are closely intertwined during emerging adulthood. They describe the ways romantic relationship development and career development have been found to influence each other and the concerns that many emerging adults have about balancing their goals in these two areas of life. Drawing on this literature, they make several recommendations for practitioners who are assisting emerging adults to make an optimal transition to work in the context of their romantic relationships. Finally, the authors use a case study, drawn from research conducted by the first author, to illustrate how the principles discussed in this review can manifest in the lives of one emerging adult couple.


2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 661-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Little ◽  
Elizabeth Handley ◽  
Eileen Leuthe ◽  
Laurie Chassin

AbstractThe current study tested the impact of the transition to parenthood on growth in alcohol consumption from early adolescence through emerging adulthood. We measured age-related discontinuity in trajectories of alcohol consumption associated with timing of the parenthood transition, above and beyond the effects of accrued educational status, gender, and time-varying marital status. We also examined the impact of a familial selection factor for the transmission of alcohol use problems, family history density of alcoholism (FHD), on both risk for adolescent parenthood and risk for adolescent parents' continuity in alcohol consumption after the parent transition within a mediation structural equation model. Premature timing of parenthood had a distinct effect on emerging adult alcohol trajectories. Although participants who became parents as emerging adults showed role-related decline in alcohol consumption, those who became parents during adolescence showed a role-related rise in emerging adult alcohol consumption. Gender moderated adolescent parents' role-related growth in emerging adult alcohol consumption. Adolescent fathers showed an adverse rise in alcohol consumption after becoming parents, whereas adolescent mothers' alcohol consumption did not change significantly. FHD was related to high adolescent alcohol consumption, which mediated risk for the incidence of early parenthood. Finally, the adverse effect of FHD on trajectories of emerging adult alcohol use was mediated by a dual pathway: (a) developmental continuity of conduct problems and (b) early transition to parenthood.


Emerging adulthood, spanning roughly between ages 18 and 29, is increasingly recognized as a unique period of development within the human lifespan. Unfortunately, the peak prevalence for substance use and related disorders occurs during emerging adulthood. At the nexus of developmental theory and clinical practice, this volume explores the idiosyncrasies associated with the assessment and treatment of substance-related disorders among emerging adults. Comprehensive coverage is provided on the developmental aspects of emerging adulthood, emerging adult–specific substance use screening, assessment, and treatment. In addition, many related special topics are addressed, including U.S. healthcare reform and the Affordable Care Act’s impact on treatment for emerging adults, treatment for aging-out foster youth with substance use disorders, collegiate recovery programs, and treatment needs of emerging adults from privileged and marginalized backgrounds. Throughout the book, readers receive research-informed, yet practical, suggestions for emerging adult substance use disorder treatment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-382
Author(s):  
Katie Lowe ◽  
Jeffrey J. Arnett

Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of emerging adulthood and intergenerational ambivalence, parental concerns about their child’s attainment of adulthood was investigated as the focal predictor of the likelihood of monetary conflict between American parents and emerging adults. A national sample of 791 parents (51% female; 73% White) of emerging adults (18-29 years old) completed surveys. Results showed that 43% of parents experienced monetary conflict with their emerging adult, and one in five were “very concerned” that their child would not attain adulthood. Additionally, the odds of monetary conflict were 3.11 times higher when parents endorsed greater concerns about attaining adulthood (e.g., might never become fully adult). This association was the strongest beyond key demographic, parental well-being, and parent–emerging adult relationship factors. Findings help illuminate the basis of monetary conflict in emerging adulthood and indicate parents’ fears of “failure to launch” may have very real consequences, suggesting implications for financial socialization.


2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 667-673
Author(s):  
Michelle MacCalman ◽  
Leia A Harper ◽  
Kristen G Anderson

Abstract Aims Emerging adulthood (ages 18–25) has been associated with elevated alcohol use, yet little is known regarding gender identity and drinking contexts in this population. Our goals were to examine the effects of perceived gender match on alcohol use decision-making in social settings among emerging adults. Methods Participants (N = 135; 64% white, 11 transgender) completed measures of alcohol consumption, alcohol expectancies and motives, and the Collegiate-Simulated Intoxication Digital Elicitation using an established Internet panel. We conducted a series of univariate analyses to examine the relation between perceived gender match and behavioral willingness (BW) to accept alcohol in a social context. Results Participants identifying as men were significantly more likely to accept offers of alcohol when compared with women. While men and women did not differ in terms of BW when participants perceived a gender-matched actor making the offer, when there was a gender mismatch, women had significantly lower BW when compared with men. Though transgender participants were more likely to endorse hazardous drinking behaviors, there were no observable effects of transgender identity on BW. Conclusion In this sample, we found that men have a higher BW for alcohol than women and that trans identified persons are at increased risk for alcohol misuse. These findings support the need for more research examining the effect of gender identity on patterns of alcohol use and decision-making in mixed-gender contexts for emerging adults.


2021 ◽  
pp. 43-64
Author(s):  
Sara A. Vasilenko

By emerging adulthood, the majority of individuals have engaged in some types of sexual behavior. However, during this period there is considerable variability and change in the prevalence of recent sexual behaviors and their relationship contexts. This chapter reviews the literature on the prevalence of multiple sexual behaviors, focusing on data from nationally representative studies where possible. Findings suggest that most emerging adults engage in behaviors such as kissing, oral sex, and vaginal intercourse during emerging adulthood, with peak prevalence of these behaviors in the late twenties or early thirties. Other behaviors, such as partnered masturbation, anal sex, and kink behaviors are also practiced by a sizeable minority of individuals. Although many individuals engage in casual sex during emerging adulthood, most instances of sexual behavior occur in relationships. Differences in sexual behavior across several subgroups are discussed, with a particular focus on gender and sexual orientation.


Author(s):  
Douglas C. Smith ◽  
Tara M. Dumas ◽  
Jordan P. Davis

Developmental processes influence emerging adults’ substance use. Such processes may occur both before and during the period of emerging adulthood, which lasts roughly from ages 18 to 29. This chapter begins by reviewing the prevalence of risky substance use and substance use disorders among emerging adults as well as the sequelae of such use. After a brief review of Arnett’s theory of emerging adulthood, the chapter provides an updated review of how the dimensions of emerging adulthood (i.e., identity exploration, feeling in between, self-focus, instability, optimism) are associated with substance use. Also reviewed are the additional risk factors for substance use that likely interact with these dimensions.


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