The intergenerational sequelae of dysfunctional conflict in the family of origin: Evidence from two samples

Abstract This investigation examined pathways connecting dysfunctional conflict (parent and family aggression, parental psychological control) in adolescents’ families of origin to parenting of the next generation across two studies. Study 1 included 184 Generation 2 (G2) adolescents (58% White, 29% Black, 13% other identities; 99 females, 85 males) who provided data on their Generation 1 (G1) parents. A subset of 72 G2s later became parents and reported on their parenting of Generation 3 (G3) children. Study 2 included three generations: mothers and fathers (G1; N = 193), adolescents who later became parents (G2; N = 266; 63.5% White, 29.7% Latinx, 6.8% other identities; 96 males, 170 females), and their offspring (G3; N = 385). In both studies, participants reported on either their parental aggression or family aggression, parents’ psychological control, and substance use problems. In adulthood, G2s reported on their punitive responses to G3 children’s distress (Study 1); G3s reported on G2s’ inconsistent parental discipline (Study 2). Across both studies, results revealed heterotypic continuity from G1 dysfunctional family conflict to G2 dysfunctional parenting responses ( β s = 0.23–0.33), as well as paths from dysfunctional family conflict to adolescent substance use problems ( β s = 0.14–0.25), which subsequently predicted greater next-generation dysfunctional parenting responses ( β s = 0.24–0.33).