Date of Award:
5-2005
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Psychology
Committee Chair(s)
Renee V. Galliher
Committee
Renee V. Galliher
Committee
David Stein
Committee
Carolyn Barcus
Abstract
This study tested a mediation model by which daughters ' perceptions of poorer parent-adolescent relationship quality were expected to be directly associated with the individual psychological characteristics of low self-esteem and internalizing symptoms. In turn, individual psychological characteristics were hypothesized to predict self-defeating behavior, defined as deliberate self-harm and suicidal gestures, multiple sexual partners, and substance use. Additionally, the association between parent-adolescent relationship variables and self-defeating behaviors was posited to be largely indirect and mediated by symptoms of psychological distress. As predicted, perceived alienation from parents was directly associated with poor adolescent psychological functioning. Furthermore, individual psychological variables were found to partially mediate between parent alienation and deliberate self-harm /suicidal gestures. Full mediation was observed between mother alienation and risky sexual behaviors but not for fathers. No mediation effects were found between both mother and father alienation and daughters' reported substance use. Research and clinical implications are also discussed.
Checksum
ab8366eab6194851aae7468fff52843c
Recommended Citation
Hunt, Sara M., "Associations Between Parent-Daughter Relationships, Individual Adolescent Psychological Functioning, and Female Adolescent Self-Defeating Behaviors" (2005). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 6182.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6182
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