title: Family Transitions in Cohabiting Families: a Longitudinal Investigation of the Role of Parent Depressive Symptoms in Youth Problem Behaviors.
abstract: Cohabiting family structures are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States but are less stable than married family unions. In this longitudinal study we examine the change in psychosocial adjustment of adolescents when a non-biologically related male cohabiting partner (MCP) transitions out of the family home. Of particular interest, the role of maternal and MCP depressive symptoms was examined as a moderator. At wave 1, the sample was comprised of 111 low-income urban Black families, consisting of an adolescent (42.3 % male; Mage = 13), a biological mother, and a non-biologically-related male cohabiting partner (MCP). Wave 2 and 3 assessments occurred over the course of the subsequent 29 months, with 38 % of MCPs transitioning out of the home. We used latent growth curve modeling to characterize trajectories of youth internalizing and externalizing symptom change across the 3 waves. Both maternal and MCP depressive symptoms interacted with whether a transition occurred, consistent with the notion that adolescent problem behaviors are shaped by the dynamic interplay of individual- and family-characteristics.
authors: Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Dewey Hall, 2 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: Parent
authors: Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Dewey Hall, 2 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
authors: Virginia D
authors: VD
authors: Peisch
authors: Department of Psychological Science, University of Vermont, Dewey Hall, 2 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA. Rex.Forehand@uvm.edu.
authors: Rex
authors: R
authors: Forehand
authors: National Development Research Institute, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Golub
authors: National Development Research Institute, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Megan
authors: M
authors: Reid
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Cohabitation; Family transitions; Parental depressive symptoms; Youth problem behaviors