Mother knows best? Inhibitory maternal gatekeeping, psychological control, and the mother–adolescent relationship

Abstract We used structural equation modeling to explore associations between inhibitory maternal gatekeeping attitudes, reports of inhibitory maternal gatekeeping behaviors, maternal psychological control, observed mother–adolescent warmth, and adolescent reports of maternal involvement. Our random...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescence (London, England.) England.), 2013-02, Vol.36 (1), p.91-101
Main Authors: Holmes, Erin Kramer, Dunn, KayLee C, Harper, James, Dyer, W. Justin, Day, Randal D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Affective Behavior
Attitude
Attitudes
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Child psychology
Correlation
Developmental psychology
Family Relations
Family Roles
Family systems
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Inhibition
Intergenerational relationships
Male
Maternal Behavior
Maternal gatekeeping
Mother-Child Relations
Mothers
Parent Child Relationship
Parenting - psychology
Parenting Styles
Parent–child relationships
Paternal Behavior
Pediatrics
Psychological control
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Self control
Spouses
Structural Equation Models
Systems Approach
Systems Theory
Teenagers
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract We used structural equation modeling to explore associations between inhibitory maternal gatekeeping attitudes, reports of inhibitory maternal gatekeeping behaviors, maternal psychological control, observed mother–adolescent warmth, and adolescent reports of maternal involvement. Our random stratified sample consisted of 315 mothers and their adolescents. Results revealed that inhibitory maternal gatekeeping attitudes were positively associated with reports of inhibitory gatekeeping behaviors. Psychological control fully mediated the relationship between inhibitory gatekeeping attitudes, reports of inhibitory gatekeeping behaviors, and adolescent reports of maternal involvement. Though gatekeeping attitudes and behaviors were not associated with observed mother–adolescent warmth, psychological control was negatively associated with observed mother–adolescent warmth. Thus, although prior research emphasized the negative effects of inhibitory gatekeeping on father–child relationships, the present research elucidates that in conjunction with psychological control, inhibitory gatekeeping negatively influences the mother –adolescent relationship. All findings are discussed in the context of family systems theory.
ISSN:0140-1971
1095-9254
DOI:10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.09.010