Parent-adolescent intimacy: impact on adolescent functioning

• Published in: Adolescence Vol. 23; no. 89; pp. 137 - 147
• Main Author: LeCroy, C.W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Roslyn Heights, NY Libra Publishers 1988; Libra Publishers Incorporated
• Subjects: 4-H Youth Development Program; Adolescent; adolescents; behavior problems; Biological and medical sciences; Child Behavior Disorders - psychology; Children & youth; Developmental psychology; Families & family life; Father-Child Relations; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Indexing in process; Male; Mother-Child Relations; Object Attachment; Parent-Child Relations; parent-child relationships; Personal relationships; Psychology, Adolescent; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Self Concept; self-esteem; Sex Factors; Social research; youth development; Human; Parental behavior; Adolescent; Family environment; Self esteem; Affective development; Parental attachment; Parent child relation; Social support
• ISSN: 0001-8449

This paper examines the influence of parent-adolescent intimacy on adolescent functioning. Intimacy for both adolescent males and females was assessed in relation to their mothers and fathers. Adolescent development was measured using two scales: self-esteem and problem behavior. No significant differences were found between males and females on the measures of self-esteem, problem behavior, and intimacy. However, mothers were found to share greater degrees of intimacy than did fathers for both male and female adolescents. A regression analysis revealed that father intimacy was a better predictor of positive adolescent functioning than was mother intimacy.