The Role of Intergenerational Transmission of Parenting in Close Relationships of Male and Female Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore intergenerational continuity of parenting through three generations and its influence on the social relationships of male and female adolescents. 898 adolescents (378 male and 520 female) from Croatia, Bosnia and Macedonia, with an average age of 16.5, participated in this research. The following measuring instruments (self-report measures) were used: the relationship of mother/father with grandparents, the Perception of Family Interactions Scale, the Friendship Quality Scale, and the Social Loneliness Scale. The results of this study confirm the hypothesis of the intergenerational transmission of parenting. Moreover, they show that the mother's parental style has a stronger effect on friendship quality in female adolescents than the father's parental style. Generally, it should be noted that the results of this research show that the mother’s parental style has a greater impact on friendship quality and social loneliness for girls than for boys.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n20p1821