The Relation Between Parenting and Adolescent Depression

Abstract

Relations between three components of parenting and young adolescent's depressive symptoms were studied in a sample of240 mothers and children (Mean child age = 11. 87, SD = .57). Mothers were selected for having a range of psychopathology (77% had a history of mood disorders). Mothers and children each completed the Children's Rating of Parental Behavior Inventory (CRPBI), which yields three parenting dimensions: acceptance/rejection, autonomy/psychological control, and firm/lax control. Mothers and children also completed a questionnaire and an interview about the child's depressive symptoms during the previous 2 weeks. Three composite parenting scores were created by combining mothers' and children's ratings on each CRPBI subscale, and a composite depression score was based on the children 's, mothers', and clinicians 'ratings of the child's depressive symptoms. Maternal acceptance showed a significant negative relation to depressive symptoms, and maternal psychological control was positively associated with depressive symptoms. These relations were mediated partially through the child's perceived self-worth.