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Discrepancies in Autonomy and Relatedness Promoting Behaviors of Substance Using Mothers and Their Children: The Effects of a Family Systems Intervention

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Abstract

Parents’ and children’s autonomy and relatedness behaviors are associated with a wide range of child outcomes. Yet, little is known about how parents and children’s autonomy and relatedness behaviors jointly influence child outcomes. The current study captured this joint influence by exploring the longitudinal trajectory of mother–child discrepancies in autonomy and relatedness behaviors and its association with child problem behaviors. The effects of a family systems intervention on the trajectory of mother–child discrepancies were also examined. The sample included 183 substance using mothers and their children (M age = 11.54 years, SD = 2.55, range 8–16; 48 % females). Both the mother and child completed an assessment at baseline, 6- and 18-month post-baseline. A person-centered analysis identified subgroups varying in mother–child discrepancy patterns in their autonomy and relatedness behaviors. The results also showed that participation in the family systems therapy was associated with decreased mother–child discrepancies, and also a synchronous increase in mother’s and child’s autonomy and relatedness. Additionally, increased mother–child discrepancies and mother–child dyads showing no change in autonomy and relatedness was associated with higher levels of children’s problem behaviors. The findings reveal a dynamic process of mother–child discrepancies in autonomy and relatedness behaviors related to child outcomes. The findings also support the effectiveness of the family systems therapy, and highlight the importance of understanding the complexities in family interactions when explaining children’s problem behaviors.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by NIDA Grant R01 DA023062 awarded to Natasha Slesnick. We are grateful to the families for their participation in our research and to our research team for their assistance with data collection.

Author Contributions

JZ conceived of the study, performed the statistical analysis, and drafted the manuscript; NS participated in the design and coordination of the study and helped to draft the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, 135 Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Jing Zhang & Natasha Slesnick

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  1. Jing Zhang
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Correspondence to Jing Zhang.

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The ethical standards of the American Psychological Association have been closely adhered to in this study. The original study was approved by The Ohio State University’s IRB.

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Participating mothers provided informed consent for themselves and their children, and children provided written assent.

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Zhang, J., Slesnick, N. Discrepancies in Autonomy and Relatedness Promoting Behaviors of Substance Using Mothers and Their Children: The Effects of a Family Systems Intervention. J Youth Adolescence 46, 668–681 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0549-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-016-0549-4

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