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The Mediation of Care and Overprotection between Parent-Adolescent Conflicts and Adolescents’ Psychological Difficulties during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Which Role for Fathers?

Author

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  • Barbara Forresi

    (Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University (Milan), Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 77-20143 Milan, Italy)

  • Ludovica Giani

    (Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University (Milan), Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 77-20143 Milan, Italy)

  • Simona Scaini

    (Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University (Milan), Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 77-20143 Milan, Italy)

  • Giampaolo Nicolais

    (Department of Dynamic, Clinical and Health Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli, 1-00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Marcella Caputi

    (Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via E. Weiss, 2-34128 Trieste, Italy)

Abstract

Background: There is evidence of a significant raise in youths’ emotional and behavioral difficulties during the pandemic. Only a few studies have addressed parent-adolescent conflict, and none investigated the possible mediating effect of parenting in the association between conflicts with parents and adolescents’ symptoms. This study aimed at investigating youths’ psychological symptoms during the pandemic, focusing on the predicting effect of parent-adolescent conflict. The mediating role of care and overprotection was also explored, considering whether adolescent gender moderated this mediation. Methods: 195 adolescents aged 14–18 years participated in an online longitudinal study. Perceived conflict with parents and parenting dimensions (Parental Bonding Instrument; PBI) were assessed at baseline (2021). Self-reported psychological difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ) were collected at baseline and after one year (2022). Results: A significantly severer symptomatology was found in adolescents having a conflictual relationship with one or both parents. Major conflicts with parents correlated with lower care and greater overprotection in mothers and fathers. However, parental overprotection and maternal care were not mediators of the relationship between conflict and youths' difficulties. The only exception was represented by paternal care that fully mediated this relationship in both adolescent males and females. Conclusions: Although further investigations are needed to overcome limitations due to the small sample, findings extend our insight into the impact of parent-adolescent conflict, highlighting the role of fathers’ care and the need to maximize their involvement in clinical interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Forresi & Ludovica Giani & Simona Scaini & Giampaolo Nicolais & Marcella Caputi, 2023. "The Mediation of Care and Overprotection between Parent-Adolescent Conflicts and Adolescents’ Psychological Difficulties during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Which Role for Fathers?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:1957-:d:1042693
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marcella Caputi & Barbara Forresi & Ludovica Giani & Giovanni Michelini & Simona Scaini, 2021. "Italian Children’s Well-Being after Lockdown: Predictors of Psychopathological Symptoms in Times of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.
    2. Ziqin Liang & Claudia Mazzeschi & Elisa Delvecchio, 2021. "The Impact of Parental Stress on Italian Adolescents’ Internalizing Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Renata Tambelli & Silvia Cimino & Eleonora Marzilli & Giulia Ballarotto & Luca Cerniglia, 2021. "Late Adolescents’ Attachment to Parents and Peers and Psychological Distress Resulting from COVID-19. A Study on the Mediation Role of Alexithymia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Sarah Foley & Farzaneh Badinlou & Karin C. Brocki & Matilda A. Frick & Luca Ronchi & Claire Hughes, 2021. "Family Function and Child Adjustment Difficulties in the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Janet Tsin-Yee Leung, 2021. "Overparenting, Parent-Child Conflict and Anxiety among Chinese Adolescents: A Cross-Lagged Panel Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-14, November.
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