Parenting behavior, quality of the parent-adolescent relationship, and adolescent functioning in four ethnic groups

Abstract

The cross-ethnic similarity in the pattern of associations among parenting behavior (support and authoritative and restrictive control), the quality of the parent-adolescent relationship (disclosure and positive and negative quality), and several developmental outcomes (aggressive behavior, delinquent behavior, and global self-esteem) was tested. A sample of 541 Dutch, Moroccan, Turkish, and Surinamese adolescents living in the Netherlands (mean age 14.43) completed questionnaires at school. The results showed ethnic similarities in the mean levels of support, authoritative control, disclosure, positive quality of the parent-adolescent relationship, delinquent behavior, and self-esteem. The quality of the parent-adolescent relationship, especially a negative quality of the relationship, showed significant associations with each adolescent outcome in all ethnic groups. For both aggressive behavior and self-esteem, the same model was applicable to all ethnic groups. The links between the quality of the parent-adolescent relationship and delinquent behavior were also similar. The links between parenting behavior and delinquent behavior, however, differed across groups. © 2006 Sage Publications.