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Dialogues with preadolescents and adolescents: Mother-child interaction patterns in affectively ill and well dyads

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Abstract

This study examined affective/communicative patterns in the interactions of unipolar, bipolar, and well mothers with their preadolescent and adolescent children. As part of a large longitudinal project, mother-child interaction was assessed for two siblings ages 8 to 11 and 12 to 16. Interactional difficulties were linked to both maternal affective illness and child problem status. Preadolescent children appeared more comfortable/happy with well mothers than with affectively ill mothers. Mothers and their preadolescents were more critical/irritable with each other when the child had a psychiatric disorder. Gender differences were apparent, particularly in regard to mother's current psychiatric status. Interactions in adolescent-daughter dyads were more critical when mothers met criteria for a major depressive episode within the month. The results illuminate interactive processes through which psychopathology may be perpetuated in families.

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This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland, and by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network on the Transition from Infancy to Early Childhood. We appreciate the invaluable assistance of Marcy Mistrett, Kara Goobic, and Elaine Gram in coding the videotapes. Thanks also to John Bartko, Theoretical Statistics and Mathematics Branch, NIMH, for statistical guidance, to Editha Nottelmann and Carolyn Zahn-Waxler for their helpful comments on the manuscript, and to the staff of the Laboratory of Developmental Psychology for data collection and management.

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Tarullo, L.B., DeMulder, E.K., Martinez, P.E. et al. Dialogues with preadolescents and adolescents: Mother-child interaction patterns in affectively ill and well dyads. J Abnorm Child Psychol 22, 33–51 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02169255

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02169255

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