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. 2016 Feb;28(1):293-308.
doi: 10.1017/S0954579415000450. Epub 2015 May 28.

Intergenerational continuity in high-conflict family environments

W Andrew Rothenberg  1 , Andrea M Hussong  1 , Laurie Chassin  2
Affiliations

Intergenerational continuity in high-conflict family environments

W Andrew Rothenberg et al. Dev Psychopathol. 2016 Feb.

Abstract

In the current study, we examined continuity in conflict across generations and explored potential mediators and moderators that could explain this continuity. We followed 246 targets from adolescence to adulthood and examined family conflict as reported by multiple reporters in targets' family of origin and current families. Results showed that conflict in the current family was strongly correlated with that of the family of origin in women but not in men. Continuity in family conflict across generations was mediated by patterns of elevated adolescent externalizing behavior in members of the second generation (G2). In addition, analyses revealed an interaction between both G2 partners' externalizing behavior such that if one partner in the G2 family demonstrated high levels of externalizing behavior, elevated levels of family conflict resulted. Potential explanations and implications of these findings are considered.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A model for intergenerational continuity in high conflict family environments
Figure 2
Figure 2
Results of confirmatory factor analyses for intergenerational family conflict
Figure 3
Figure 3
G2 externalizing behavior mediates intergenerational continuity in family conflict Note: * p < .05, all coefficients are standardized estimates. Factor loadings and covariates not included in figure but described in text.
Figure 4
Figure 4
G2 partner externalizing behavior at wave 6 moderates relationship between G2 externalizing behavior at wave 5 and G2–G3 family conflict at wave 6 Note: In this graph, G2–G3 family conflict is centered so that zero represents mean levels of G2–G3 family conflict.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Female G2 externalizing behavior mediates intergenerational continuity in family conflict Note: * p < .05, all coefficients are standardized estimates. Factor loadings and covariates not included in figure but described in text.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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