Parental and offspring psychopathology: Can parents with problems be effective?

• Main Author: Sparks, Courtney P
• Other Authors: E. Samuel Winer
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: MSSTATE 2014
• Subjects: Psychology
• Online Access: http://sun.library.msstate.edu/ETD-db/theses/available/etd-04302014-170417/

<p>Research has established a link between parental psychopathology, perceptions of parents, and child outcomes. Separately, negative perceptions of a parent and parental psychopathology are associated with negative outcomes. However, a stronger relationship may exist when these factors are combined. Current research indicates that children tend to view a parent with psychopathology more negatively and consequently are at a greater risk for psychopathology. Less research examines the outcomes of children who hold positive perceptions of a parent with psychopathology, as well as the effects of perceptions of parents on emerging adults. The current study tested a model where perceptions of parents moderated the relationship between parental psychopathology and emerging adult psychopathology. Results indicated that holding positive perceptions of a parent with internalizing problems puts an emerging adult at a greater risk for internalizing problems, whereas the effect of parental psychopathology and perceptions of parents on emerging adult externalizing problems was unclear. </p>