Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Examining the Bidirectional Associations between Adolescents’ Disclosure, Parents’ Solicitation, and Adjustment Problems among Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic Early Adolescents

  • Empirical Research
  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Research indicates that parents’ solicitation and adolescents’ disclosure of information are negatively associated with adjustment problems (depressive symptoms and conduct problems). However, few studies examine the bidirectional associations between these variables with early adolescents in the United States or the race/ethnic group differences in these bidirectional associations. We examined cross-lagged associations and race/ethnic group differences between parents’ solicitation, adolescents’ disclosure and adjustment problems among 209 non-Hispanic White (61.2%) and Hispanic (38.8%) early adolescents (67.5% female) across a 1-year period. The findings indicated that adolescents’ disclosure was negatively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms, while parents’ solicitation was positively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms. No significant race/ethnic group differences were indicated. Family-based interventions should encourage adolescents to disclose information to parent(s) due to its promotive capabilities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andresen, E., Malmgren, J., Carter, W., & Patrick, D. (1994). Screening for depression in well older adults–Evaluation of a short-form of the CES-D. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 10, 77–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, R. L., Chesin, M. S., & Jeglic, E. L. (2014). Depression, delinquency, and suicidal behaviors among college students. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 35, 36–41. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bendezu, J. J., Pinderhughes, E. E., Hurley, S. M., McMahon, R. J., & Racz, S. J. (2016). Longitudinal relations among parental monitoring strategies, knowledge, and adolescent delinquency in a racially diverse at-risk sample. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 00, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2016.1141358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blocklin, M. K., Crouter, A. C., Updegraff, K. A., & McHale, S. M. (2011). Sources of parental knowledge in Mexican American families. Family Relations: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies, 60, 30–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3729.2010.00631.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, R., & Corwyn, R. (2013). From parent to child to parent…: Paths in and out of problem behavior. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 41, 515–529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-012-9692-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bumpus, M. F., & Rodgers, K. B. (2009). Parental knowledge and its sources: Examining the moderating roles of family structure and race. Journal of Family Issues, 30, 1356–1378. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X09334154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burke, J. D., Pardini, D. A., & Loeber, R. (2008). Reciprocal relationships between parenting behavior and disruptive psychopathology from childhood through adolescence. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 36, 679–692. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-008-9219-7.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Calzada, E. J. (2010). Bringing culture into parent training with Latinos. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 17, 167–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2010.01.003.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Castillo, L. G., Perez, F. V., Castillo, R., & Ghosheh, M. R. (2010). Construction and initial validation of the Marianismo Beliefs Scale. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 23(2), 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515071003776036.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaparro, M. P., & Grusec, J. E. (2015). Parent and adolescent intentions to disclose and links to positive social behavior. Journal of Family Psychology, 29, 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000040.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S. G., & Aiken, L. S. (2003). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

  • Criss, M. M., Lee, T. K., Morris, A. S., Cui, L., Bosler, C. D., Shreffler, K. M., & Silk, J. S. (2015). Link between monitoring behavior and adolescent adjustment: An analysis of direct and indirect effects. Journal of Child and family Studies, 24, 668–678. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9877-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cruz-Santiago, M., & Ramirez Garcia, J. I. (2011). “Hay que ponerse en los zapatos del joven: Adaptive parenting of adolescent children among Mexican-American parents residing in dangerous neighborhoods. Family Process, 50, 92–114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cummings, J. R., Case, B. G., Ji, X., Chae, D. H., & Druss, B. G. (2014). Racial/ethnic differences in perceived reasons for mental health treatment in US adolescents with major depression. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 53, 980–990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2014.05.016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daddis, C., & Randolph, D. (2010). Dating and disclosure: Adolescent management of information regarding romantic involvement. Journal of Adolescence, 33, 309–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.05.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Delforterie, M. J., Verweij, K. J. H., Creemers, H. E., van Lier, P. A. C., Koot, HansM., Branje, S. J. T., & Huizink, A. C. (2016). Parental solicitation, parental control, child disclosure, and substance use: native and immigrant Dutch adolescents. Ethnicity & Health, 21(6), 535–550. https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2015.1126562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaertner, A. E., Rathert, J. L., Fite, P. J., Vitulano, M., Wynn, P. T., & Harber, J. (2010). Sources of parental knowledge as moderators of the relation between parental psychological control and relational and physical/verbal aggression. Journal of Child and family Studies, 19, 607–616. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-009-9345-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garthe, R. C., Sullivan, T., & Kliewer, W. (2015). Longitudinal relations between adolescent and parental behaviors, parental knowledge, and internalizing behaviors among urban adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44, 819–832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0112-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garthe, R. C., Sullivan, T. N., & Kliewer, W. (2018). Longitudinal associations between maternal solicitation, perceived maternal acceptance, adolescent self-disclosure, and adolescent externalizing behaviors. Youth & Society, 50(2), 274–295. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X16671238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez-Beneyto, M., Nolasco, A., Moncho, J., Pereyra-Zamora, P., Tamayo-Fonseca, N., & Munarriz, M., et al. (2013). Psychometric behaviour of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) in the Spanish national health survey 2006. BMC Psychiatry, 13, 95 https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244X-13-95.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • González-Forteza, C., Solís Torres, C., Jiménez Tapia, A., Hernández Fernández, I., González-González, A., & Juárez García, F., et al. (2011). Confiabilidad y validez de la escala de depresión CES-D en un censo de estudiantes de nivel medio superior y superior, en la Ciudad de México. Salud Mental, 34(1), 53–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, R., Meltzer, H., & Bailey, V. (1998). The strengths and difficulties questionnaire: A pilot study on the validity of the self-report version. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 7, 125–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, C. M. K., & Montgomery, M. J. (2012). Links between alcohol and other drug problems and maltreatment among adolescents girls: Perceived discrimination, ethnic identity, and ethnic orientation as moderators. Child Abuse & Neglect, 36, 449–460.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guilamo-Ramos, V., Dittus, P., Jaccard, J., Johansson, M., Bouris, A., & Acosta, N. (2007). Parenting practices among Dominican and Puerto Rican mothers. Social Work, 52, 17–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamza, C. A., & Willoughby, T. (2011). Perceived parental monitoring, adolescent disclosure, and adolescent depressive symptoms: A longitudinal examination. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40, 902–915. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-010-9604-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, L., & Bentler, P. M. (1998). Fit indices in covariance structure modeling: Sensitivity to underparameterized model misspecification. Psychological Methods, 3, 424–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huynh, V. W., & Fuligni, A. J. (2010). Discrimination hurts: The academic, psychological, and physical well-being of adolescents. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 20(4), 916–941. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00670.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keijsers, L., Branje, S. J. T., VanderValk, I. E., & Meeus, W. (2010). Reciprocal effects between parental solicitation, parental control, adolescent disclosure, and adolescent delinquency. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 20, 88–113. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2009.00631.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keijsers, L., Frijns, T., Branje, S. J. T., & Meeus, W. (2009). Developmental links of adolescent disclosure, parental solicitation, and control with delinquency: Moderation by parental support. Developmental Psychology, 45, 1314–1327.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keijsers, L., & Poulin, F. (2013). Developmental changes in parent-child communication throughout adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 49(12), 2301–2308. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032217.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, M., & Stattin, H. (2003). Parenting of adolescents: Action or reaction? In A. C. Crouter, A. Booth (Eds), Children’s influence on family dynamics: The neglected side of family relationships (pp. 121–151). Mahwah, NJ, US: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

  • Kerr, M., & Stattin, H. (2000). What parents know, how they know it, and several forms of adolescent adjustment: Further support for a reinterpretation of monitoring. Developmental Psychology, 36(3), 366–380. 10.1037/0012-1649.36.3.366.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, M., Stattin, H., & Burk, W. J. (2010). A reinterpretation of parental monitoring in longitudinal perspective. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 20, 39–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiesner, J., Dishion, T. J., Poulin, F., & Pastore, M. (2009). Temporal dynamics linking aspects of parent monitoring with early adolescent antisocial behavior. Social Development, 18(4), 765–784. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9507.2008.00525.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laird, R. D., Marrero, M. D., & Sentse, M. (2010). Revisiting parental monitoring: Evidence that parental solicitation can be effective when needed most. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 1431–1441. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-009-9453-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laird, R. D., Pettit, G. S., Bates, J. E., & Dodge, K. A. (2003). Parents’ monitoring-relevant knowledge and adolescents’ delinquent behavior: Evidence of correlated developmental changes and reciprocal influences. Child Development, 74, 752–768. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00566.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lane, C., Brundage, C. L., & Kreinin, T. (2017). Why we must invest in early adolescence: Early intervention, lasting impact. Journal of Adolescent Health, 61, S10–S11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S. S., Victor, A. M., James, M. G., Roach, L. E., & Bernstein, G. A. (2016). School-based interventions for anxious children: Long-term follow-up. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 47, 183 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-015-0555-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Loukas, A., Ripperger-Suhler, K. G., & Horton, K. D. (2009). Examining temporal associations between school connectedness and early adolescent adjustment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 804–812. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-008-9312-9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ludlow, L., & Klein, K. (2014). Suppressor variables: The difference between ‘is’ versus ‘acting as.’ Journal of Statistics Education, 22(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/10691898.2014.11889703

  • Muthen, L. K. & Muthen, B. O. (1998–2017). Mplus User’s Guide. Eighth Edition. Los Angeles, CA: Muthén & Muthén.

  • Pereyra, S. B., & Bean, R. A. (2017). Latino adolescent substance use: A mediating model of inter-parental conflict, deviant peer associations, and parenting. Children and Youth Services Review, 76, 154–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.03.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poirier, M., Déry, M., Temcheff, C. E., Toupin, J., Verlaan, P., & Lemelin, J.-P. (2015). Longitudinal associations between conduct problems and depressive symptoms among girls and boys with early conduct problems. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 25, 743–754. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-015-0796-z.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reinke, W. M., Eddy, J. M., Dishion, T. J., & Reid, J. B. (2012). Joint trajectories of symptoms of disruptive behavior problems and depressive symptoms during early adolescence and adjustment problems during emerging adulthood. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40, 1123–1136. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-.012-9630-y.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Salari, R., & Thorell, L. B. (2015). Parental monitoring in late adolescence: Relations to ADHD symptoms and longitudinal predictors. Journal of Adolescence, 40, 24–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2015.01.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sameroff, A. J., & Chandler, M. J. (1975). Reproductive risk and the continuum of caretaking casualty. In F. D. Horowitz, M. Hetherington, S. Scarr-Salapatek & G. Siegel (Eds.), Review of child development research (pp. 187–244) Vol. 4. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapka, J., & Law, D. (2013). Does one size fit all? Ethnic differences in parenting behaviors and motivations for adolescent engagement in cyberbullying. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 42, 723–738. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-9928-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smetana, J. G., Villalobos, M., Tasopoulos-Chan, M., Gettman, D. C., & Campione-Barr, N. (2009). Early andmiddle adolescents’ disclosure to parents about activities in different domains. Journal of Adolescence, 32(3), 693–713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2008.06.010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spaeth, M., Weichold, K., & Silbereisen, R. K. (2017). Developmental trajectories of parental knowledge during early adolescence and their psychological predictors. Journal of Family Issues, 38(6), 731–754. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X15576965.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stattin, H., & Kerr, M. (2000). Parental monitoring: A reinterpretation. Child Development, 71, 1072–1085. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00210.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stavrinides, P., Nikiforou, M., & Georgiou, S. (2015). Do mothers know? Longitudinal associations between parental knowledge, bullying, and victimization. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 32(2), 180–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407514525889.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stavrinides, P., Georgiou, S., & Demetriou, A. (2010). Longitudinal associations between adolescent alcohol use and parents’ sources of knowledge. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 28, 643–655. https://doi.org/10.1348/026151009X466578.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stepler, R., & Brown, A. (2016). Statistical portrait of Hispanics in the United States. Retrieved 10 December, 2016, from http://www.pewhispanic.org/2016/04/19/statistical-portrait-of-hispanics-in-the-united-states/.

  • Tilton-Weaver, L. (2014). Adolescents’ information management: Comparing ideas about whyadolescents disclose to or keep secrets from their parents. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 43(5), 803–813. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-0008-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torres, M. I., Granberry, P., Person, S., Allison, J., Rosal, M., & Rustan, S. (2016). Influential factors of Puerto Rican mother-child communication about sexual health topics. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 20, 2280–2290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-016-2041-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Umaña-Taylor, A. J., Updegraff, K. A., & Gonzales-Backen, M. A. (2011). Mexican-origin adolescent mothers’ stressors and psychosocial functioning: Examining ethnic identity affirmation and familism as moderators. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(2), 140–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-010-9511-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Velazquez, E., Corona, R., Easter, R., Barinas, J., Elshaer, L., & Halfond, R. W. (2017). Cultural values, mother-adolescent discussions about sex, and Latino/a adolescents’ condom use attitudes and intentions. Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 5(3), 213–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000075.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, B., Li, X., Deveaux, L., Stanton, B., & Lunn, S. (2015). Dynamic relationships between parental monitoring, peer risk involvement and sexual risk behavior among Bahamian mid-adolescents. International Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health, 41(2), 89–9810. https://doi.org/10.1363/4108915.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M. T., & Kenny, S. (2014). Longitudinal links between fathers’ and mothers’ harsh verbal discipline and adolescents’ conduct problems and depressive symptoms. Child Development, 85, 908–923. 10.111/cdev/12143.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yong, M., Fleming, C. B., McCarty, C. A., & Catalano, R. F. (2014). Mediators of the associations between externalizing behaviors and internalizing symptoms in late childhood and early adolescence. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 34, 967–1000. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431613516827.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors' Contributions

A.F. analyzed and interpreted data as her dissertation project, and drafted the manuscript; A.L. participated in the editing of the manuscripts; K.E.P. participated in the study as the principal investigator of the study and edited the manuscripts. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This research was not supported by any funding.

Data Sharing and Declaration

The manuscript’s data will not be deposited.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Miami, School of Nursing and Health Studies, 5030 Brunson Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA

    Alejandra Fernandez

  2. University of Texas at Austin, 2109 San Jacinto, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Alexandra Loukas & Keryn E. Pasch

Authors
  1. Alejandra Fernandez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alexandra Loukas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Keryn E. Pasch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alejandra Fernandez.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and school district IRB.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all adolescents’ parents included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fernandez, A., Loukas, A. & Pasch, K.E. Examining the Bidirectional Associations between Adolescents’ Disclosure, Parents’ Solicitation, and Adjustment Problems among Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic Early Adolescents. J Youth Adolescence 47, 2569–2583 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0896-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-018-0896-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation