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Open Access 01-07-2010 | Original Contribution

Exploring mediating factors in the association between parental psychological distress and psychosocial maladjustment in adolescence

Authors: Christelle Roustit, Eric Campoy, Basile Chaix, Pierre Chauvin

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 7/2010

Abstract

Parental psychopathology is associated with increased psychosocial maladjustment in adolescents. We examined, from a psychosocial perspective, the association between parental psychological distress and psychosocial maladjustment in adolescents and assessed the mediating role of psychosocial covariates. This is a cross-sectional survey and the setting include representative sample of Quebec adolescents in 1999. The participants of the study include 13- and 16-year-old children (N = 2,346) in the Social and Health Survey of Quebec Children and Adolescents. The main outcome measures are internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders, substance use, and alcohol consumption. For statistical analysis, we used structural equation modeling to test for mediation. Internalizing and externalizing disorders were significantly associated with parental psychological distress, but not substance use or alcohol consumption. The higher the parental distress, the higher the risk of adolescent mental health disorders. The association between parental psychological distress and internalizing disorders was mediated by adolescent self-esteem, parental emotional support and extrafamilial social support. As for externalizing disorders, these variables only had an independent effect. In conclusion, A family’s well being is a necessary condition for psychosocial adjustment in adolescence. Beyond the psychiatric approach, psychosocial considerations need to be taken into consideration to prevent negative mental health outcomes in children living in homes with distressed parents.

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Title: Exploring mediating factors in the association between parental psychological distress and psychosocial maladjustment in adolescence
Authors: Christelle Roustit
Eric Campoy
Basile Chaix
Pierre Chauvin
Publication date: 01-07-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 7/2010
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-010-0094-8

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Exploring mediating factors in the association between parental psychological distress and psychosocial maladjustment in adolescence

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