Work

Parent-adolescent intergenerational transmission of distress: the roles of family climate, adolescents’ self-compassion and mindfulness

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Existing research indicates that parental psychological distress correlates with adverse psychological outcomes in adolescents. Nevertheless, limited studies have delved into the mechanisms underpinning this relationship. Objectives: This study aimed to examine whether the link between parental psychological distress and adolescent psychological distress is mediated by the family emotional climate, as well as adolescents' mindfulness and self-compassion. Methods: The study sample consisted of 348 parent-adolescent dyads. Adolescents (57.5% female) had a mean age of 14.21 years (SD = 1.74, age range: 12-18 years). Parents reported their psychological distress, while adolescents completed measures of family emotional climate, mindfulness, self-compassion, and psychological distress. Results: The results indicated that parents' psychological distress was indirectly linked to adolescents' psychological distress via the family emotional climate, adolescent mindfulness, and self-compassion. Furthermore, the path models were found to be invariant across different age stages and sexes of adolescents. Conclusion: Mindfulness and self-compassion appear to develop within a family emotional environment marked by care and harmony. These two personal resources, in conjunction with parents' psychological distress, are associated with adolescents' psychological distress.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1595515

Authors: Shuying Zhou, Chi Kin Kwan, Yueyue Ai, Ying Ma

Institutions: Shaanxi Normal University, City University of Hong Kong, Xi'an Jiaotong University

Language: English

Topic: Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801