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Longitudinal relations between child emotional difficulties and parent-child closeness: a stability and malleability analysis using the STARTS model

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


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Authors

Katsantonis, Ioannis G.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7557-8136
Symonds, Jennifer E.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4259-6124

Abstract

Background: Past empirical evidence on the longitudinal relations between emotional mental health symptoms and parent-child close relationships has produced mixed and inconclusive results. Some studies suggest a unidirectional relation, whereas other studies point toward a bidirectional association. Additionally, most of the past research has been carried out with adolescent samples, rather than children. Hence, this study aimed to estimate the longitudinal relations between children’s trait emotional difficulties and trait parent-child closeness, accounting for the time-invariant and time-varying state components of each factor. Methods: Participants were 7,507 children (ages 3 years, 5 years, 7 years, and 9 years) from the Growing Up in Ireland cohort. Α bivariate stable trait, autoregressive trait, and state (STARTS) model was estimated using Bayesian structural equation modelling. Results: The STARTS model revealed that children’s emotional difficulties and parent-child closeness were relatively stable across time, and these overarching traits were strongly negatively correlated. Children’s earlier trait emotional difficulties predicted later trait parent-child closeness and vice versa between 3 years and 5 years, and between 5 years and 7 years, but these effects disappeared between 7 years and 9 years. At all pairs of time points, state emotional difficulties and state parent-child closeness were weakly negatively correlated. Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that early and middle childhood are critical stages for improving parent-child relationships and reducing children’s emotional difficulties. Developing close parent-child relationships in childhood appears to be a key factor in reducing children’s subsequent emotional difficulties. Children who face greater than usual emotional difficulties tend to be more withdrawn and less receptive to close parent-child relationships and this could serve as an important screening indicator.

Description

Funder: A.G. Leventis Foundation

Keywords

STARTS model, Emotional mental health, Bayesian structural equation modelling, Longitudinal cohort study, Reciprocal relations, Growing Up in Ireland, Parent-child closeness, Parent-child relationship

Journal Title

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1753-2000

Volume Title

18

Publisher

BioMed Central
Sponsorship
Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation (F ZR024/1-2021/2022)