Parental Anger and Trajectories of Emotional Well-Being from Adolescence to Young Adulthood

J Res Adolesc. 2020 Jun;30(2):440-457. doi: 10.1111/jora.12536. Epub 2019 Oct 31.

Abstract

This study assesses the relationship of parental anger on children's anger and self-derogation from adolescence to young adulthood. We examine a life-course perspective and incorporate theories of emotion regulation and self-referent behavior. Using structural equation models and hierarchical growth curve models with the Kaplan Longitudinal and Multigenerational data, the results indicate that parental anger leads to anger in adolescence, supporting theories of learning through modeling in adolescence. In young adulthood, as predicted by self-referent behavior theory, parental anger contributes to increases in self-derogation. Interestingly, maternal anger, but not paternal anger, is correlated with child's anger and self-derogation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anger*
  • Child
  • Emotional Regulation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Self Concept*
  • Young Adult