Children, Youth, Families & Schools, Nebraska Center for Research on
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
2010
Citation
J Fam Psychol. 2010 October ; 24(5): 522–531
Abstract
Drawing on social cognitive theory, this study used a longitudinal cross-lagged panel design and a structural equation modeling approach to evaluate parenting self-efficacy's reciprocal and causal associations with parents' positive control practices over time to predict adolescents' conduct problems. Data were obtained from teachers, mothers, and adolescents in 189 Mexican American families living in the southwest U.S. After accounting for contemporaneous reciprocal relationships between parenting self-efficacy (PSE) and positive control, results indicated that parenting self-efficacy predicted future positive control practices rather than the reverse. PSE also showed direct effects on decreased adolescent conduct problems. PSE functioned in an antecedent causal role in relation to parents' positive control practices and adolescents' conduct problems in this sample. These results support the cross-cultural applicability of social cognitive theory to parenting in Mexican American families. An implication is that parenting interventions aimed at preventing adolescent conduct problems need to focus on elevating the PSE of Mexican American parents with low levels of PSE. In addition, future research should seek to specify the most effective strategies for enhancing PSE.
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Child Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Early Childhood Education Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons
Comments
Copyright 2010 Am. Psych. Assn.
doi:10.1037/a0020833