The role of depression and social relationships in the intergenerational transmission of observed parenting

Using prospective, longitudinal, multimethod, and multireporter data, this study examined the role of depression and social relationships in the intergenerational (dis)continuity of observed parenting. Parenting was measured twice (at age 24 and 42 months) at parallel ages in each generation. Results indicated that parenting measured at 42 months related to measures of depression and social relationship indicators while parenting at 24 months generally did not. Using parenting measured at 42 months in both generations, there was a direct link in parenting across generations after accounting for continuities in depression both within and across generations but no mediation through depression. Both experiences of being parented and adolescent peer experiences appeared to independently influence the development of parenting behavior in the next generation. The findings provide support for the enduring effects of early parent-child experiences but suggest that relationships across childhood and adulthood contribute to individual differences in parenting.