UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Burstein, Marcy E.
Dept./Program:
Psychology
Year:
2007
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
The present study attempted to advance current knowledge of relations among parent psychopathology, family functioning problems, and child psychopathology in substanceabusing families. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine family functioning problems as mediators of relations between parent psychopathology and child internalizing problems, child externalizing problems, and adolescent substance use. Significant concurrent predictors of child psychopathology were tested prospectively. The study further evaluated relations among family functioning problems, adolescent psychopathology, and adolescent substance use using adolescents' ratings. It was hypothesized that both maternal and paternal psychopathology would impact child psychopathology by way of family functioning problems. Participants included 341 families in which at least one parent presented for substance dependence treatment. At treatment intake, 243 mothers and 191 fathers completed measures about themselves, their families, and all children in the home between the ages of 6 and 18 (n=534). Results of the models tested indicated that only paternal psychopathology predicted child psychopathology once relations with maternal psychopathology were controlled.
In addition, father perceptions of family functioning problems mediated relations between paternal externalizing problems and child internalizing and externalizing problems. However, in prospective analyses, only child psychopathology at intake predicted child psychopathology over time. Findings also demonstrated that, although paternal externalizing problems were a direct predictor of adolescent psychopathology, only maternal internalizing problems uniquely predicted adolescent substance use. In contrast, paternal psychopathology and father perceptions of family functioning were found to exert their effect on adolescent substance use indirectly, through relations with adolescent psychopathology. Finally, results indicated that adolescent perceptions of family functioning predicted adolescent reports of their own psychopathology and substance use, and that these problems were greater for adolescent females.
Findings of the present study underscore the importance of including both mothers and fathers in investigations to examine how caretakers may differentially impact child outcomes. They further suggest that it is important to intervene with both mothers and fathers in substanceabusing families in order to reduce the risk for poor outcomes among their children.
In addition, father perceptions of family functioning problems mediated relations between paternal externalizing problems and child internalizing and externalizing problems. However, in prospective analyses, only child psychopathology at intake predicted child psychopathology over time. Findings also demonstrated that, although paternal externalizing problems were a direct predictor of adolescent psychopathology, only maternal internalizing problems uniquely predicted adolescent substance use. In contrast, paternal psychopathology and father perceptions of family functioning were found to exert their effect on adolescent substance use indirectly, through relations with adolescent psychopathology. Finally, results indicated that adolescent perceptions of family functioning predicted adolescent reports of their own psychopathology and substance use, and that these problems were greater for adolescent females.
Findings of the present study underscore the importance of including both mothers and fathers in investigations to examine how caretakers may differentially impact child outcomes. They further suggest that it is important to intervene with both mothers and fathers in substanceabusing families in order to reduce the risk for poor outcomes among their children.