| This investigation provided insight into the role of parent-adolescent relationships in the intergenerational transmission of problem behaviors. Representations of parenting were examined as a potential mechanism by which problem behaviors are transmitted intergenerationally from mothers to their adolescents. Paternal, gender and family composition influences on the intergenerational progression were also explored. One hundred thirty-five adolescents, aged 14 to 18 years, and their mothers (and fathers when available) completed Epstein's (1983) Mother-Father-Peer Scale, Armsden and Greenberg's (1987) Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, and questionnaires about smoking, alcohol and drug use. Indications of an intergenerational transmission of smoking, drinking and drug use from mothers to adolescents were found. Evidence of intergenerational transmission of representations of parenting which corresponds to those described by attachment theory was also uncovered. For both mother and adolescent generations, representations of parenting received were significantly related to problems with alcohol and drug use, but not with quantity of drug use. Limited effects were found for fathers, adolescent gender and family composition. Evidence implying that representations of parenting may play a partial mediating role was found. Although, when representations were examined as completely mediating the intergenerational transmission of problem behaviors, substantial unmediated effects remained. Findings suggest the importance of continuing integrated research to determine how and why representations of parenting influence the intergenerational transmission of substance use. Information gleaned from such research will assist in the development of prevention and intervention efforts. |
