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The Impact of Parental Stressors on the Intergenerational Transmission of Antisocial Behavior

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Abstract

We examine the extent to which parental antisocial behavior is related to child antisocial behavior and, if it is, the extent to which the effect is mediated by parental stressors and by parenting behaviors. In particular, we examine two sources of stress–depressive symptoms and exposure to negative life events. The study is based on data from the Rochester Intergenerational Study, a prospective multi-generation panel study. The parent sample is 73% male and 27% female and predominantly African American (69%); the child sample consists of each parent’s oldest biological child. We find significant levels of intergenerational continuity in antisocial behavior for mothers and for fathers who live with or supervise their child, but not for fathers who have low levels of contact with their child. Results of structural equation models of mediating pathways are similar for mothers and for supervisory fathers. Of the two stressors we examine, depressive symptoms appears to be the more consistent mediator. It, both directly and indirectly via its impact on parenting behaviors, influences the child’s early onset of antisocial behavior. The results imply that childhood antisocial behavior has deep roots, extending back to the parent’s adolescent development.

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Acknowledgements

Support for this study has been provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (86-JN-CX-0007, 96-MU-FX-0014, 2004-MU-FX-0062), the National Institute on Drug Abuse (5-R01-DA020195, 5-R01-DA05512), the National Science Foundation (SBR-9123299, SES-9123299), and the National Institute of Mental Health (5-R01-MH56486). Work on this project was also aided by grants to the Center for Social and Demographic Analysis at the University at Albany from NICHD (P30-HD32041) and NSF (SBR-9512290). Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the funding agencies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, 1877 Broadway, Suite 601, Boulder, CO, 80302, USA

    Terence P. Thornberry

  2. Hindelang Criminal Justice Research Center, University at Albany, 135 Western Avenue, Albany, NY, 12222, USA

    Adrienne Freeman-Gallant

  3. Department of Sociology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA

    Peter J. Lovegrove

Authors
  1. Terence P. Thornberry
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  2. Adrienne Freeman-Gallant
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  3. Peter J. Lovegrove
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Correspondence to Terence P. Thornberry.

Appendix

Appendix

Depressive Symptoms

Response Set: Always, Often, Sometimes, Seldom, Never

During the past week, how often did you…

  1. a.

    Feel bothered by things that don’t usually bother you?

  2. b.

    Not feel like eating or have a poor appetite?

  3. c.

    Feel you had trouble keeping your mind on what you were doing?

  4. d.

    Feel depressed?

  5. e.

    Think your life has been a failure?

  6. f.

    Feel fearful?

  7. g.

    Sleep restlessly?

  8. h.

    Feel happy?

  9. i.

    Feel that you talked less than usual?

  10. j.

    Feel lonely?

  11. k.

    Feel that people were unfriendly?

  12. l.

    Feel you enjoyed life?

  13. m.

    Have crying spells?

  14. n.

    Feel sad?

  15. o.

    Feel people disliked you?

  16. p.

    Feel that you could not “get going”?

Negative Life Events

Response Set: Yes, No

Since your last interview, did…

  1. a.

    Your parents separate or get divorced?

  2. b.

    One of your parents remarry?

Since your last interview, did you…

  1. a.

    Have a serious injury or serious illness?

  2. b.

    And your (boyfriend/girlfriend) or partner break up?

  3. c.

    Have a big fight or problem with a close friend or family member?

  4. d.

    Have serious financial problems?

Since your last interview, did you or anyone in your household…

  1. a.

    Lose their job?

  2. b.

    Have serious trouble with their job that caused stress for anyone in the household?

  3. c.

    Lose their financial benefits such as welfare or food stamps?

Since your last interview, did a close friend or family member…

  1. a.

    Die or become seriously ill?

  2. b.

    Have serious emotional problems?

  3. c.

    Abuse alcohol? (used alcohol so much that it became a serious problem)

  4. d.

    Abuse other drugs?

  5. e.

    Get in trouble with the law?

Attachment to Child

Response Set: Always, Often, Sometimes, Seldom, Never

Thinking about (CHILD), how often would you say that…

  1. a.

    (CHILD) is too demanding

  2. b.

    (CHILD) interferes with your activities

  3. c.

    You think (CHILD) is terrific

  4. d.

    You feel violent toward (CHILD)

  5. e.

    You feel very angry toward (CHILD)

  6. f.

    You feel proud of (CHILD)

  7. g.

    You wish (CHILD) was more like other children that you know

  8. h.

    (CHILD) is well behaved

  9. i.

    You get along well with (CHILD)

  10. j.

    You just do not understand (CHILD)

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Thornberry, T.P., Freeman-Gallant, A. & Lovegrove, P.J. The Impact of Parental Stressors on the Intergenerational Transmission of Antisocial Behavior. J Youth Adolescence 38, 312–322 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-008-9337-0

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