OpenLB
Open Library of Bioscience
Advanced Search
Family process
12, 2019;58 (4): 972-985.

Emerging Adult Risky Sexual Behavior Predicted by Parental Overprotection: Moderated Mediation Analysis.

Mary Moussa Rogers, Cliff McKinney
Author Information
  1. Mary Moussa Rogers: Department of Psychology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. ORCID
  2. Cliff McKinney: Department of Psychology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS.
PMID: 30221756 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12394

Abstract

Parental control behaviors are suggested to be related to emerging adult outcomes, such as risky sexual behavior. Although parental control behaviors are more likely to be considered protective against risky sexual behavior, the relation between parental overprotection and risky sexual behavior is unclear. Furthermore, parental overprotection may influence peer selection and prosocial behaviors in emerging adults, which may in turn influence outcomes of risky sexual behavior, as suggested by primary socialization theory. Thus, the current study investigated the relations among paternal and maternal overprotection, emerging adult peer alienation, and risky sexual behavior, and expanded on these relations by examining gender effects of both parents and children. The sample consisted of 505 participants (228 males and 277 females) ranging in age from 18 to 25 years. Analyses were conducted with AMOS path analysis and indicated that peer alienation mediated the effect between both maternal and paternal perceived overprotection and risky sexual behavior, but more strongly for males, suggesting moderated mediation. Overall, parental overprotection may be protective against risky sexual behavior via pathways that are harmful such as peer alienation, thus recommending research continues to clarify the nuances of these relations.

Keywords

Alienation Emerging Adulthood Gender Overprotection Parenting Risky Sexual Behavior adultez emergente comportamiento sexual riesgoso crianza diferencias de género sobreprotección parental 亲职 初期成年人 危险性行为 家长过度保护 性别区别

References

  1. Alati, R., Baker, P., Betts, K. S., Connor, J. P., Little, K., Sanson, A. et al. (2014). The role of parental alcohol use, parental discipline and antisocial behaviour on adolescent drinking trajectories. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 134, 178-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.09.030.
  2. Ali, M. M., & Dwyer, D. S. (2011). Estimating peer effects in sexual behavior among adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 34(1), 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.12.008.
  3. Armsden, G. C., & Greenberg, M. T. (1987). The inventory of parent and peer attachment: Individual differences and their relationship to psychological well-being in adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 16(5), 427-454.
  4. Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.5.469
  5. Baker, J. G., Rosenthal, S. L., Leonhardt, D., Kollar, L. M., Succop, P. A., Burklow, K. A. et al. (1999). Relationship between perceived parental monitoring and young adolescent girls’ sexual and substance use behaviors. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 12(1), 17-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1083-3188(00)86615-2.
  6. Bandura, A. (1978). Social learning theory of aggression. Journal of Communication, 28(3), 12-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.1978.tb01621.x
  7. Bell, C. C., Bhana, A., Petersen, I., McKay, M. M., Gibbons, R., Bannon, W. et al. (2008). Building protective factors to offset sexually risky behaviors among black youths. Journal of the National Medical Association, 100(8), 936-944. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0027-9684(15)31408-5
  8. Broderick, C. B. (1971). Beyond the five conceptual frameworks: A decade of development in family theory. Journal of Marriage and Family, 33(1), 139-159. https://doi.org/10.2307/350161
  9. Byrne, B. M. (2013). Structural equation modeling with AMOS: Basic concepts, applications, and programming (2nd ed.). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
  10. Coley, R. L., Medeiros, B. L., & Schindler, H. S. (2008). Using sibling differences to estimate effects of parenting on adolescent sexual risk behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(2), 133-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.12.012.
  11. Crimmins, D. M., & Seigfried-Spellar, K. C. (2014). Peer attachment, sexual experiences, and risky online behaviors as predictors of sexting behaviors among undergraduate students. Computers in Human Behavior, 32, 268-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.12.012.
  12. Desiderato, L. L., & Crawford, H. J. (1995). Risky sexual behavior in college students: Relationships between number of sexual partners, disclosure of previous risky behavior, and alcohol use. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 24(1), 55-68. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01537560.
  13. Downing-Matibag, T. M., & Geisinger, B. (2009). Hooking up and sexual risk taking among college students: A health belief model perspective. Qualitative Health Research, 19(9), 1196-1209. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732309344206.
  14. Ellis, B. J., Schlomer, G. L., Tilley, E. H., & Butler, E. A. (2012). Impact of fathers on risky sexual behavior in daughters: A genetically and environmentally controlled sibling study. Development and Psychopathology, 24(01), 317-332. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095457941100085X.
  15. Gandhi, A., Claes, L., Bosmans, G., Baetens, I., Wilderjans, T. F., Maitra, S. et al. (2016). Non-suicidal self-injury and adolescents attachment with peers and mother: The mediating role of identity synthesis and confusion. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(6), 1735-1745. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-015-0350-0.
  16. Grusec, J. E., & Davidov, M. (2010). Integrating different perspectives on socialization theory and research: A domain-specific approach. Child Development, 81(3), 687-709. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01426.x.
  17. Hadley, W., Hunter, H. L., Tolou-Shams, M., Lescano, C., Thompson, A., & Donenberg, G., Project STYLE Study Group (2011). Monitoring challenges: A closer look at parental monitoring, maternal psychopathology, and adolescent sexual risk. Journal of Family Psychology, 25(2), 319-323. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0023109
  18. Hayes, A. F. (2009). Beyond Baron and Kenny: Statistical mediation analysis in the new millennium. Communication Monographs, 76(4), 408-420. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637750903310360.
  19. Hayes, A. F. (2013). Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. New York: Guilford Press.
  20. Holmbeck, G. N., Johnson, S. Z., Wills, K. E., McKernon, W., Rose, B., Erklin, S. et al. (2002). Observed and perceived parental overprotection in relation to psychosocial adjustment in preadolescents with a physical disability: The mediational role of behavioral autonomy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(1), 96. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.70.1.96
  21. Iacovou, M. (2002). Regional differences in the transition to adulthood. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 580(1), 40-69. https://doi.org/10.1177/000271620258000103
  22. Karoly, H. C., Callahan, T., Schmiege, S. J., & Feldstein Ewing, S. W. (2016). Evaluating the Hispanic paradox in the context of adolescent risky sexual behavior: The role of parent monitoring. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 41(4), 429-440. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsv039.
  23. Killoren, S. E., & Deutsch, A. R. (2014). A longitudinal examination of parenting processes and Latino youth's risky sexual behaviors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43(12), 1982-1993. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-013-0053-z.
  24. Kincaid, C., Jones, D. J., Sterrett, E., & McKee, L. (2012). A review of parenting and adolescent sexual behavior: The moderating role of gender. Clinical Psychology Review, 32(3), 177-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2012.01.002.
  25. Kline, R. B. (2011). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling (3rd ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.
  26. Ladd, G. W., & Ladd, B. K. (1998). Parenting behaviors and parent-child relationships: Correlates of peer victimization in kindergarten? Developmental Psychology, 34(6), 1450-1458. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.34.6.1450.
  27. Lansford, J. E., Dodge, K. A., Fontaine, R. G., Bates, J. E., & Pettit, G. S. (2014). Peer rejection, affiliation with deviant peers, delinquency, and risky sexual behavior. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43(10), 1742-1751. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-014-0175-y.
  28. Liu, Q.-X., Fang, X.-Y., Zhou, Z.-K., Zhang, J.-T., & Deng, L.-Y. (2013). Perceived parent-adolescent relationship, perceived parental online behaviors and pathological internet use among adolescents: Gender-specific differences. PLoS One, 8(9), e75642. https://doi.org/10.1371.0075642.
  29. Lohman, B. J., & Billings, A. (2008). Protective and risk factors associated with adolescent boys’ early sexual debut and risky sexual behaviors. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37(6), 723-735. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-008-9283-x.
  30. MacKinnon, D. P. (2008). Introduction to statistical mediation analysis. New York: Routledge.
  31. McDowell, D. J., & Parke, R. D. (2009). Parental correlates of children's peer relations: An empirical test of a tripartite model. Developmental Psychology, 45(1), 224-235. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014305.
  32. McKinney, C., Milone, M. C., & Renk, K. (2011). Parenting and late adolescent emotional adjustment: Mediating effects of discipline and gender. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 42(4), 463-481. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-011-0229-2.
  33. Molano, A., Jones, S. M., Brown, J. L., & Aber, J. L. (2013). Selection and socialization of aggressive and prosocial behavior: The moderating role of social-cognitive processes. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 23(3), 424-436. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12034.
  34. Montgomery, C., Fisk, J., & Craig, L. (2008). The effects of perceived parenting style on the propensity for illicit drug use: The importance of parental warmth and control. Drug and Alcohol Review, 27(6), 640-649. https://doi.org/10.1080/09595230802392790.
  35. Nelson, L. J., Padilla-Walker, L. M., & Nielson, M. G. (2015). Is hovering smothering or loving? An examination of parental warmth as a moderator of relations between helicopter parenting and emerging adults’ indices of adjustment. Emerging Adulthood, 3(4), 282-285. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167696815576458.
  36. Neppl, T. K., Dhalewadikar, J., & Lohman, B. J. (2016). Harsh parenting, deviant peers, adolescent risky behavior: Understanding the meditational effect of attitudes and intentions. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 26(3), 538-551. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12212.
  37. Newcomb, M. D., Locke, T. F., & Goodyear, R. G. (2003). Childhood experiences and psychosocial influences on HIV risk among adolescent Latinas in Southern California. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 9(3), 219-235. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.9.3.219.
  38. Odenweller, K. G., Booth-Butterfield, M., & Weber, K. (2014). Investigating helicopter parenting, family environments, and relational outcomes for millennials. Communication Studies, 65(4), 407-425. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2013.811434.
  39. Oetting, E. R., & Donnermeyer, J. F. (1998). Primary socialization theory: The etiology of drug use and deviance. Substance Use and Misuse, 33(4), 995-1026. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826089809056252.
  40. Oetting, E. R., Donnermeyer, J. F., & Deffenbacher, J. L. (1998). Primary socialization theory: The influence of the community on drug use and deviance. Substance Use and Misuse, 33(8), 1629-1665. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826089809058948.
  41. Oudekerk, B. A., Allen, J. P., Hafen, C. A., Hessel, E. T., Szwedo, D. E., & Spilker, A. (2014). Maternal and paternal psychological control as moderators of the link between peer attitudes and adolescents’ risky sexual behavior. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 34(4), 413-435. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431613494007.
  42. Parker, G., Tupling, H., & Brown, L. B. (1979). A parental bonding instrument. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 52(1), 1-10.
  43. Preacher, K. J., Rucker, D. D., & Hayes, A. F. (2007). Addressing moderated mediation hypotheses: Theory, methods, and prescriptions. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 42(1), 185-227. https://doi.org/10.1080/00273170701341316.
  44. Rajhvajn Bulat, L., Ajduković, M., & Ajduković, D. (2016). The role of parents and peers in understanding female adolescent sexuality - Testing perceived peer norms as mediators between some parental variables and sexuality. Sex Education, 16(5), 455-470. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2015.1110691.
  45. Rew, L., & Horner, S. D. (2003). Youth resilience framework for reducing health-risk behaviors in adolescents. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 18(6), 379-388. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0882-5963(03)00162-3.
  46. Rostad, W. L., Silverman, P., & McDonald, M. K. (2014). Daddy's little girl goes to college: An investigation of females’ perceived closeness with fathers and later risky behaviors. Journal of American College Health, 62(4), 213-220. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2014.887570.
  47. Rucker, D. D., Preacher, K. J., Tormala, Z. L., & Petty, R. E. (2011). Mediation analysis in social psychology: Current practices and new recommendations. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 5(6), 359-371. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00355.x
  48. Santelli, J. S., Lowry, R., Brener, N. D., & Robin, L. (2000). The association of sexual behaviors with socioeconomic status, family structure, and race/ethnicity among US adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 90(10), 1582.
  49. Schofield, T. J., Conger, R. D., & Robins, R. W. (2015). Early adolescent substance use in Mexican origin families: Peer selection, peer influence, and parental monitoring. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 157, 129-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.10.020.
  50. Seibel, F. L., & Johnson, W. B. (2001). Parental control, trait anxiety, and satisfaction with life in college students. Psychological Reports, 88(2), 473-480. https://doi.org/10.2466/pr0.2001.88.2.473
  51. Shneyderman, Y., & Schwartz, S. J. (2013). Contextual and intrapersonal predictors of adolescent risky sexual behavior and outcomes. Health Education and Behavior, 40(4), 400-414. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198112447800.
  52. Simons, L. G., Burt, C. H., & Tambling, R. B. (2013). Identifying mediators of the influence of family factors on risky sexual behavior. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 22(4), 460-470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-012-9598-9.
  53. Spokas, M., & Heimberg, R. G. (2009). Overprotective parenting, social anxiety, and external locus of control: Cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 33(6), 543. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-008-9227-5
  54. Stattin, H., & Kerr, M. (2000). Parental monitoring: A reinterpretation. Child Development, 71(4), 1072-1085. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00210.
  55. Sylvester, O. A. (2014). Influence of self-esteem, parenting style and parental monitoring on sexual risk behaviour of adolescents in Ibadan. Gender and Behaviour, 12(2), 6341-6353.
  56. Thomasgard, M., & Metz, W. P. (1993). Parental overprotection revisited. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 24(2), 67-80. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02367260
  57. Tilton-Weaver, L. C., Burk, W. J., Kerr, M., & Stattin, H. (2013). Can parental monitoring and peer management reduce the selection or influence of delinquent peers? Testing the question using a dynamic social network approach. Developmental Psychology, 49(11), 2057-2070. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031854.
  58. Turner, R. A., Irwin, C. E., Tschann, J. M., & Millstein, S. G. (1993). Autonomy, relatedness, and the initiation of health risk behaviors in early adolescence. Health Psychology, 12(3), 200. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.12.3.200
  59. Walters, G. D. (2016). Someone to look up to: Effect of role models on delinquent peer selection and influence. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 14(3), 257-271. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204015569317
  60. Yuksek, D. A., & Solakoglu, O. (2016). The relative influence of parental attachment, peer attachment, school attachment, and school alienation on delinquency among high school students in Turkey. Deviant Behavior, 37(7), 723-747. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2015.1062683.
  61. Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Helfand, M. (2008). Ten years of longitudinal research on U.S. adolescent sexual behavior: Developmental correlates of sexual intercourse, and the importance of age, gender and ethnic background. Developmental Review, 28(2), 153-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dr.2007.06.001.

MeSH Term

Adolescent
Adult
Female
Humans
Male
Parent-Child Relations
Parenting
Parents
Peer Group
Risk-Taking
Sex Factors
Sexual Behavior
Young Adult
Journal Article
Article has an altmetric score of 3

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0sexualriskybehaviorparentaloverprotectionpeerbehaviorsemergingmayrelationsalienationParentalcontrolsuggestedadultoutcomesprotectiveinfluencepaternalmaternalmalesEmergingRiskySexualBehaviorrelatedAlthoughlikelyconsideredrelationunclearFurthermoreselectionprosocialadultsturnprimarysocializationtheoryThuscurrentstudyinvestigatedamongexpandedexamininggendereffectsparentschildrensampleconsisted505participants228277femalesrangingage1825 yearsAnalysesconductedAMOSpathanalysisindicatedmediatedeffectperceivedstronglysuggestingmoderatedmediationOverallviapathwaysharmfulthusrecommendingresearchcontinuesclarifynuancesAdultPredictedOverprotection:ModeratedMediationAnalysisAlienationAdulthoodGenderOverprotectionParentingadultezemergentecomportamientoriesgosocrianzadiferenciasdegénerosobreprotección亲职初期成年人危险性行为家长过度保护性别区别

Similar Articles

Cited By (4)