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Developmental trajectory from early responses to transgressions to future antisocial behavior: Evidence for the role of the parent–child relationship from two longitudinal studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2013

Sanghag Kim ,
Grazyna Kochanska ,
Lea J. Boldt ,
Jamie Koenig Nordling  and
Jessica J. O'Bleness
Sanghag Kim*
Affiliation:
Hanyang University
Grazyna Kochanska
Affiliation:
University of Iowa
Lea J. Boldt
Affiliation:
University of Iowa
Jamie Koenig Nordling
Affiliation:
University of Iowa
Jessica J. O'Bleness
Affiliation:
University of Iowa
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Sanghag Kim, Department of Sociology, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, South Korea; E-mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

Parent–child relationships are critical in development, but much remains to be learned about the mechanisms of their impact. We examined the early parent–child relationship as a moderator of the developmental trajectory from children's affective and behavioral responses to transgressions to future antisocial, externalizing behavior problems in the Family Study (102 community mothers, fathers, and infants, followed through age 8) and the Play Study (186 low-income, diverse mothers and toddlers, followed for 10 months). The relationship quality was indexed by attachment security in the Family Study and maternal responsiveness in the Play Study. Responses to transgressions (tense discomfort and reparation) were observed in laboratory mishaps wherein children believed they had damaged a valued object. Antisocial outcomes were rated by parents. In both studies, early relationships moderated the future developmental trajectory: diminished tense discomfort predicted more antisocial outcomes, but only in insecure or unresponsive relationships. That risk was defused in secure or responsive relationships. Moderated mediation analyses in the Family Study indicated that the links between diminished tense discomfort and future antisocial behavior in insecure parent–child dyads were mediated by stronger discipline pressure from parents. By indirectly influencing future developmental sequelae, early relationships may increase or decrease the probability that the parent–child dyad will embark on a path toward antisocial outcomes.

Type
Regular Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 26 , Issue 1 , February 2014 , pp. 93 - 109
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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