Parental Psychopathology and the Quality of Parent-Child Relationship in Child Psychological Adjustm

Discussions on Key Theories from Developmental Psychology and Relevant Research Findings

Parental psychopathology, as broadly defined by internalising and externalising problems, and the quality of the parent-child relationship have a significant influence on child psychological adjustment’ (Franz & McKinney, 2018). 

Discuss, with reference to key theories from developmental psychology and relevant research findings. In your answer draw on your own presentation of a journal article and at least one other presentation. 

While you worked with others in preparing your presentation, independent work is required for this essay, and rules for plagiarism do apply.

2500 words, typed/word processed in double spacing. Referencing style of your choice. 

Marking Grid for Written Assignment 

In this section you are expected to discuss and analyse theory and research relevant to the parent-child relationship, and consider what it contributes to understanding mental health. You are also expected to illustrate your analysis with examples from the group presentations  to explore influences on child psychological development. 

Conclusion 10%

Presentation/ Structuring/ Referencing     10%

Please Note: It is the student's responsibility to familiarise themselves with university regulations on plagiarism, copying and collusion (see your course handbook or  http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/regulations.shtml#15

http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/plagiarism.shtml)

Previous literature has not examined the processes underlying the relations among parent–child relationship quality, paren- tal psychopathology, and child psychopathology in the context of gender. Further, research examining these variables in emerging adulthood is lacking. The current study examined whether parent–child relationship quality would mediate the relation between parental and child psychopathology, and whether gender moderated these associations. Participants were emerging adults (N = 665) who reported on perceptions of their parents’ and their own psychological problems as well as their parent–child relationship quality. Results indicated that the relation between parental internalizing problems and par- ent–child relationship quality was positive for males, and that mother–child relationship quality was related positively to psychological problems in males. This suggests that sons may grow closer to their parents (particularly their mother) who are exhibiting internalizing problems; in turn, this enmeshed relationship may facilitate transmission of psychopathology. Mediational paths were conditional upon gender, suggesting moderated mediation. Overall, the current study emphasizes that the complexities of parenting must be understood in the context of gender. Further, the mother–son dyad may particularly warrant further attention.

Clear evidence supports that parental psychopathology, as broadly defined by internalizing and externalizing problems, and the quality of the parent–child relationship have a sig- nificant influence on child psychological adjustment, both in the short and long term [5, 44]. Specifically, the parent–child relationship has an impact on children’s view of their own self-worth as well as other relationships, and these effects can progress into adulthood [41, 42]. Parental psychopathology is linked to a range of externalizing and internalizing disorders in children, and some research has demonstrated that this effect specifically impacts children as they enter young adulthood.

Although research provides clear associations between child outcomes and parent–child relationship quality as well as parent internalizing and externalizing problems, less research has examined the processes among these vari- ables. For example, parental internalizing and externalizing behavior problems likely have a significant effect on the parent–child relationship, and these associations could be affected further by the gender of parents and children. Thus, the current study examined the mediational effect of par - ent–child relationship quality on the relation between paren- tal and child internalizing and externalizing problems in the context of gender. As this study examines multiple pathways and relations, we examined these two broad psychopathol- ogy categories instead of more specific problem domains in order to make results clear and concise.