The Role of Parental Externalizing Problems in the Relation between Interparental Conflict and Adolescents’ Internalizing Problems

Abstract

The role of parental externalizing problems in the relation between interparental conflict and adolescent internalizing problems has barely been studied. This despite the idea that interparental conflict can enhance parental externalizing problems and these problems, in turn, can affect adolescent internalizing problems by threatening adolescents’ emotional security. This longitudinal study (N = 497 families) examined the mediating and moderating role of parental externalizing problems in the relation between interparental conflict and internalizing problems of adolescent boys and girls. The influence of maternal and paternal externalizing problems on internalizing problems was examined separately. Parental externalizing problems influenced adolescent internalizing problems and interparental conflict. Adolescent internalizing problems influenced maternal externalizing problems. No support was found for mediation or moderation.