The Effects of Interparental Conflict, Parent-Child Relationship, and Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship on Adolescent Mental Health in an Intergenerational Parenting Context

This study aimed to explore the impact of interparental conflict on adolescents mental health within families characterized by intergenerational caregiving arrangements, as well as the mediating role of the parent-child relationship and the moderating role of the grandparent-grandchild relationship. A total of 3,128 adolescents aged 11–16 years, primarily from families involving intergenerational caregiving, participated in the study. Participants were surveyed using the Interparental Conflict Scale, Parent-Child Relationship Scale, Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship Scale. Results indicated that interparental conflict could directly affect adolescent mental health and indirectly influence it through the parent-child relationship. Furthermore, we found grandparent-grandchild relationship played a moderating role between interparental conflict and parent-child relationship, and the stronger grandparent-grandchild relationship mitigated the negative impact of interparental conflict on parent-child relationship. These findings highlight the importance of considering multiple family subsystems when examining adolescents mental health within intergenerational caregiving contexts.