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Intergenerational continuity in high-conflict family environments

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2015

W. Andrew Rothenberg ,
Andrea M. Hussong  and
Laurie Chassin
W. Andrew Rothenberg*
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Andrea M. Hussong
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Laurie Chassin
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: W. Andrew Rothenberg, Department of Psychology, 235 E. Cameron Avenue, CB#3270 Davie Hall, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3520; E-mail: [email protected].
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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.

Type
Regular Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 28 , Issue 1 , February 2016 , pp. 293 - 308
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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