Search Results (60)

Given the importance of friendships and the increased risk for suicide during adolescence, potential socialization of suicidality among peers is essential to examine. Data were obtained from 93 friendship dyads (N = 186) in a community-based, longitudinal study of adolescents (Mage = 15.68, SD = 1.49, 69.9% female, 86.6% white). Adolescents’ and friends’ suicide risk and frequency of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) were assessed at baseline and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up assessments. Cross-lagged, Actor–Partner Interdependence Models (CL-APIM) examined socialization effects over time with the nested, dyadic data. Results indicated that direct socialization of suicide risk did not occur within the whole sample. However, socialization of suicide risk was observed for friends of adolescents with a past-year history of NSSI. The findings underscore the potential for NSSI to function as a susceptibility marker for socialization of suicide risk within adolescent friendships. Current study strengths, limitations, and clinical implications are further discussed. Full article

Examining the dyadic effects of parental depression on parenting behaviors is important for understanding the dynamic impact of a family member’s negative emotions on parenting and family-based interventions. To clarify the interpersonal processes between parental depression and parenting within families, this study aimed to investigate the mutual influence of parental depression and parenting (warmth–reasoning and harshness–hostility) in one large sample of adolescent twins and their parents. A sample of 1387 Chinese families with adolescent twins was used. The actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) was used to examine the mutual influences. By examining the dyadic patterns with APIM, we found that depressive symptoms in mothers or fathers significantly influence their own and their partner’s parenting behaviors. The model comparisons found no significant difference in the partner effect between maternal and paternal depression. In the Chinese family system, depression in one parent influences not only their own parenting but also their partner’s parenting. Full article

This study applied relational turbulence theory to examine how relationship characteristics in the form of relational uncertainty and partner interdependence during the transition to parenthood are associated with more severe appraisals of irritations, features of communication during couple conflict, and perceptions of increased turbulence in the relationship. We conducted a longitudinal study of 78 couples who were surveyed three times during the transition to parenthood from pregnancy to six months after birth. Data were analyzed using multilevel modeling and examined both actor and partner effects. Results point to between-person and within-person actor effects, with actors’ relational uncertainty and facets of interdependence predicting perceived severity of irritations and features of conflict episodes. In addition, actors’ severity of irritations predicted conflict features and perceived relational turbulence. Partner effects emerged for relational uncertainty predicting communicative openness, conflict management, and relational turbulence, and facets of interdependence predicting most outcomes. The results are discussed in terms of their theoretical contributions and practical implications for first-time parents. Full article

Media food marketing (MFM) may greatly influence adolescents’ and parents’ dietary behaviors through direct and mutual influences, yet the interplay of these dynamics is unexplored. This study investigated the impact of parents’ and adolescents’ trust in MFM on their own and each other’s unhealthy food consumption (actor and partner effects). Parent–adolescent dyadic data (n = 1656 dyads) collected from the 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health and Eating study were analyzed. Actor–Partner Interdependence Models were estimated to assess for actor and partner effects of MFM trust/influence on unhealthy food intake (i.e., detrimental food, junk food, sugar-sweetened beverages, fast and convenience foods) while accounting for dyadic interdependence. Covariates included parents’ and adolescents’ age and sex, and parents’ health literacy, food insecurity, and food label reading habits. Parents’ and adolescents’ higher MFM trust/influence were related to their higher unhealthy food intake (actor effects). Parents’ higher MFM trust/influence was also associated with unhealthy food intake in adolescents (partner effect). Partner effects from adolescents to parents were found for sugar-sweetened beverages only. Parents’ and adolescents’ MFM trust/influence was related to adolescents’ unhealthy food intake, highlighting the need to address it in both parents and adolescents to reduce adolescents’ unhealthy dietary intake. Full article

Background and Objectives: We examined how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and caregiver stress/burnout relate in terms of lesion severity. Methods: We enrolled 72 child–caregiver dyads at a tertiary centre (May 2023–April 2025). Children completed PedsQL and CDI (anxiety assessment via SCARED-C was descriptive and not modelled in APIM); caregivers completed SF-36, PSS-10, and the Parental Burnout Assessment (PBA). Lesion severity (mild n = 22, moderate n = 34, severe n = 16) and LVEF were abstracted. Pearson correlations and actor–partner interdependence models (APIM) estimated within- and cross-partner effects. Results: Child PedsQL decreased with severity (mild 81.2 ± 7.4; moderate 70.9 ± 8.1; severe 63.3 ± 5.1; p < 0.001); caregiver SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) showed a parallel gradient (66.8 ± 9.2; 59.7 ± 8.5; 54.1 ± 7.9; p < 0.001). Child HRQoL correlated with caregiver MCS (r = 0.46) and inversely with caregiver stress (PSS r = −0.42) and burnout (PBA r = −0.39). In APIM, caregiver stress predicted a caregiver’s own MCS (actor β = −0.38, p < 0.001) and the child’s PedsQL (partner β = −0.26, p = 0.002); higher child depressive symptoms predicted lower caregiver MCS (partner β = −0.22, p = 0.006). Each step up in lesion severity independently reduced child PedsQL by 7.9 points and caregiver MCS by 5.3 points (both p < 0.001). Dyads with unscheduled hospitalizations (n = 43) had poorer scores in both members. Conclusions: Psychological wellbeing in CHD dyads is strongly interdependent; caregiver stress relates to lower child HRQoL and child mood to caregiver mental health. Brief dyadic screening (PedsQL/SF-36 with PSS/CDI) and integrated, family-focused interventions may better target high-risk families, particularly with severe lesions or recent hospitalizations. Full article

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of disability on dyadic quality of life (QoL) among stroke survivors and to examine the mediating role of social support in this process. Methods: Outcome measures were collected at four time points: baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-discharge. The Actor–Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was used to analyze the dyadic data. Results: A significant association was observed between a higher degree of disability and more severe depressive symptoms in stroke survivors (β = 0.626) and their spouses (β = 0.426). Survivors’ disability had a negative impact on their own physical health (β = −3.731) and indirectly affected the physical health of the spouse caregiver through the spouse caregiver’s depression (β = −0.198). In addition, disability affects the survivor’s own mental health through depression and social support (β = −0.231) and indirectly through the spouse caregiver’s depression and their own social support (β = −0.156). Conclusions: Survivor disability has a major impact on depression and QoL in couples with stroke. It is recommended that healthcare providers should identify disability early in stroke survivors and then target interventions to improve the QoL of couples affected by stroke who are at high risk of negative emotions. Full article

Economic challenges place lower-income, economically marginalized families at heightened risk for experiencing financial stress, which is associated with a host of adverse family outcomes. Among lower-income families raising young children, existing economic challenges are often exacerbated by the added needs of children, including child-specific expenses (e.g., childcare) and decreased parental earning capacity. In these families, financial stress may strain the coparenting alliance; however, scant research has explored the association, particularly in families with young infants. Informed by family systems theory and the family stress model, the present study utilized an actor–partner interdependence model to explore the relationship between financial stress and the quality of the coparenting alliance within a sample of 214 lower-income opposite-sex couples with or expecting a new baby. This study further examined potential differences between (a) mothers and fathers, (b) cohabiting and married parents, and (c) those in different parenting contexts (i.e., new vs. established parents, recent vs. anticipated births). Results indicated that mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of financial stress were negatively associated with their own report of coparenting alliance but not their partner’s coparenting alliance. This association was consistent across couple relationship structures and parenting contexts. Implications for policy and practices are provided. Full article

Young children’s problematic media use (PMU) is a growing concern, and parents are critical in shaping early digital habits. However, research often overlooks the dyadic interplay between mothers’ and fathers’ attitudes and parenting practices. This study examined how parents’ favorable attitudes toward child screen media (PASU) predict their own (actor) and their partner’s (partner) mediation behaviors, and how these behaviors subsequently mediate the path to children’s PMU. Drawing on survey data from 1802 matched urban Chinese mother–father pairs, we employed an Actor–Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) within a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. This dyadic model simultaneously tested actor, partner, and indirect mediation paths connecting parental attitudes to PMU via eight specific parenting practices. Results showed that more positive PASUs predicted each parent’s own supportive behaviors (e.g., high-quality dialogue, autonomy support) but not restrictive limits. Partner effects were modest and asymmetric: mothers’ positive attitudes predicted greater knowledge in fathers, whereas fathers’ positive attitudes were linked to lower communication quality from mothers. Of all parenting dimensions, only higher communication quality (both parents) and mothers’ hands-on monitoring directly predicted lower PMU. Mediation analyses confirmed communication quality as the sole reliable pathway: each parent’s favorable attitudes indirectly lowered PMU by enhancing their own dialogue, but fathers’ attitudes simultaneously increased PMU by eroding mothers’ dialogue. These findings spotlight constructive conversation and coordinated dyadic strategies—especially safeguarding maternal dialogue—as critical targets for interventions aimed at curbing early PMU. Full article

This study explores how ethnic identity, national identity, and cultural stress interact to impact mental health among Latino youth and their parents, using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). By analyzing survey data from Latino parent–youth dyads, we assessed both individual (actor) and cross-dyadic (partner) effects of identity and cultural stress on mental health outcomes. The APIMeM framework allowed us to examine whether cultural stress mediates the relationship between identity factors and mental health. Results revealed significant actor effects, with higher levels of cultural stress associated with increased mental health distress in both parents (β = 0.65, p < 0.001) and youth (β = 0.32, p < 0.001). Ethnic identity did not demonstrate significant actor or partner effects on either cultural stress or mental health. In contrast, stronger national identity was inversely related to youth mental health distress (β = −0.11, p = 0.01) and had a significant protective partner effect on parental mental health (β = −0.16, p = 0.02). However, cultural stress did not mediate the relationship between ethnic identity and mental health. These findings underscore the importance of national identity and interdependent family dynamics in shaping mental health outcomes within Latino families experiencing cultural stress. Full article

Physical inactivity is a major global health risk, yet many fail to meet activity guidelines. Dog guardianship has been linked to increased physical activity, though the dog–guardian walking relationship remains understudied. This study applied the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to examine how guardians’ and dogs’ dual-process constructs influence walking behaviour. A sample of 127 Canadian dog guardians reported their walking habits, hedonic motivation, and expectations (Time 1) for themselves and their dogs, with follow-up walking behaviour assessed after three weeks (Time 2). Structural equation modelling revealed significant covariation in dog–guardian walking (r = 0.38, p = 0.03), supporting APIM. Guardians’ hedonic motivation (β = 0.37, p = 0.02) and expectations (β = 0.38, p = 0.02) predicted both human and dog walking. Findings confirm that guardians are the primary drivers of walking, suggesting interventions targeting guardian motivation and expectations may enhance physical activity in both humans and dogs, benefiting health. Full article

Background: Partner support and work–life balance (WLB) are important for families’ well-being. Previous research has linked perceived family support, WLB, and satisfaction with food-related life (SWFoL); however, there is limited information regarding each parent’s support from their partner. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, the work–home resources, and the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM), this study examined the direct and indirect effects of parents’ perceived partner support, WLB, and the SWFoL of dual-income parents and their adolescents, considering the moderating role of parents’ gender-transcendent attitudes. Methods: A total of 516 dual-earning parents with one adolescent child were recruited in Chile using non-probability sampling. The parents completed scales measuring perceived partner support, WLB, and gender role attitudes. The three family members responded to the Satisfaction with Food-Related Life scale. The data were analyzed using the mediation APIM, structural equation modeling, and multi-group analysis. Results: The model fit was robust (RMSEA = 0.016; SRMR = 0.052; CFI = 0.982; TLI = 0.978). The findings showed that the mothers’ SWFoL was indirectly and positively affected by their and the fathers’ perceived partner support through both parents’ WLB. The fathers’ SWFoL was directly and positively affected by their perceived partner support and indirectly via their WLB. The adolescents’ SWFoL was directly and positively affected by the mothers’ perceived partner support and indirectly by the fathers’ perceived partner support through the fathers’ WLB. In families where the fathers exhibited low gender-transcendent attitudes, the relationship between the mothers’ perceived partner support and WLB was stronger. Conclusions: Thus, it can be concluded that the mediating role of work–life balance is significant, as it facilitates the transmission of resources within and between individuals to enhance parents’ and adolescents’ SWFoL. Full article

This study explores the association between engaging leadership and the strength of an ethical organizational culture (EOC) in leader–follower mentoring dyads. In particular, we use an Actor Partner Interdependence Mediation model to test in a sample of 20 dyads the mediating role of relational variables (psychological safety, distrust, organizational identification and knowledge sharing) as reported by the mentees in the relation between engaging leadership and EOC. Our research shows that mentor–mentee perceptions of engaging leadership are positively correlated. Engaging leadership as reported by mentees was negatively related to distrust and positively to psychological safety, knowledge-sharing and organizational identification. Furthermore, engaging leadership as reported by mentors significantly reduced distrust and increased the strength of EOC, as reported by mentees and mentors. Although knowledge sharing strengthened the EOC, none of the indirect effects of empowering leadership on EOC were significant. The results underscore the importance of engaging leadership in strengthening trust, psychological safety and organizational identification, while highlighting the role of dyadic relationships in promoting a strong EOC. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sleep disturbances are prevalent among pediatric cancer survivors (PCSs) and their caregivers, often leading to poorer dietary choices and reduced physical activity. Additionally, the sleep quality and health behaviors of parents and children can affect each other. This study examined bi-directional associations between PCSs and their parents’ sleep quality and health-related behaviors. Methods: 127 parent–child dyads enrolled in a behavioral intervention for pediatric cancer survivors (Mage = 11.04; 53.2% female) and their families completed the Patient Sleep Quality Inventory (PSQI) and USDA Parent or Child Food and Activity Questionnaire (FAQ). Two actor–partner interdependence models, using multi-level modeling and adjusting for relevant confounds, estimated the bidirectional associations between the parent–child dyad’s sleep quality and composite food and physical activity quality. Results: After controlling for partner BMI and actor and partner age, the effect of children’s PSQI scores on parent’s FAQ scores was statistically significant (β = −0.23, p = 0.036). Poorer sleep quality in children was associated with worse physical activity and dietary behaviors in parents. Second, after adjusting for race, a significant partner effect for parents’ FAQ scores on children’s PSQI scores was shown—greater parental food and physical activity quality was associated with better sleep quality in PCS (β = −0.20, p = 0.041). Conclusions: Better food and activity quality for parents is linked to improved sleep quality for children, while children’s poor sleep quality is associated with lower food and activity quality in parents. The findings highlight the prospective value of systems-focused clinical interventions to manage sleep quality and promote positive health behaviors among PCS. Full article

In this study, we applied the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) to explore the associations between personality traits (Big Five) and psychological flexibility, on the one hand, and depression and anxiety, on the other hand, among patients with cancer and their spouses. Method: Forty-six patient—spouse dyads (N = 92) completed the anxiety and depression scales from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), the ten-item personality inventory (TIPI), and the psychological flexibility scale (AAQ-2). Multilevel APIM models, adjusted for multiple testing, showed that neuroticism and psychological flexibility had actor effects on patients’ depression and anxiety. Furthermore, neuroticism had actor effects on spouses’ depression and anxiety, and agreeableness had actor effects on spouses’ anxiety. In addition, patients’ psychological flexibility and neuroticism had partner effects on spouses’ depression. Conclusion: Being psychologically flexible but emotionally stable is important for one’s own and one’s partner’s psychological outcomes in the context of dyadic coping with cancer. Implications include informing couples’ therapists in the context of psycho-oncology on the importance of considering personality traits and improving psychological flexibility. Full article

The purpose of this study was to examine how positive and negative relationship characteristics and their interaction were predictive of global relationship happiness, psychological symptoms, and physical health in a large sample of older couples. The NSHAP Wave 2 partner data n = 955) were used to estimate both actor (within person) and partner (between person) effects using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model with Moderation. Global relationship happiness was predicted by the interaction of positive and negative characteristics, suggesting that more positive characteristics are only predictive of greater happiness in the presence of some negative characteristics. Male partners’ depressive symptoms were predicted by the female partners’ interaction of positive and negative characteristics, suggesting that negative characteristics were only associated with male partner depressive symptoms when positive characteristics were rated very low by their partner. Positive and negative characteristics were predictive of anxiety and stress but not their interaction, and only the male partner’s perception of positive characteristics was predictive of the female partner’s physical health. These results are discussed in the context of controversy over the measurement of relationship satisfaction in the field. Full article