Effects of mother-offspring and father-offspring dynamics on emerging adults' adjustment: The mediating role of emotion regulation

PLoS One. 2019 Feb 13;14(2):e0212331. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212331. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The present study tested a theoretical model of emotion regulation between parent-offspring dynamics and emerging adults' adjustment. The mediating role of emotion regulation strategies, including cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, were investigated for the effects of mother-offspring and father-offspring dynamics on emerging adults' adjustment. A sample of 352 Chinese emerging adults in Hong Kong (230 female, 121 male) participated in this study. Participants were asked to complete a set of self-reported questionnaires. Findings based on structural equation modeling indicated that greater mother-offspring intimacy and father-offspring intimacy predicted emerging adults' better cognitive reappraisal and psychological, social, and general health. Greater mother-offspring conflict also predicted more expressive suppression and poorer psychological and social functioning. Distinctive mediation pathways as a function of parents' gender were identified. These findings enrich the literature for parent-offspring dynamics and emotion regulation as explanatory processes of emerging adults' adjustment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Adult
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Father-Child Relations*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Mother-Child Relations / psychology*
  • Parenting
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

The study was supported by a grant from the Area of Strength of Family Studies in Asian Contexts, Faculty of Education and Human Development, The Education University of Hong Kong.