Immigrant families and adolescence: Parenting style, externalizing and internalizing problems

TitleImmigrant families and adolescence: Parenting style, externalizing and internalizing problems
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsCristini F, Vieno A, Scacchi L, Santinello M
JournalInterdisciplinary Journal of Family Studies
Volume15
Issue2
Pagination60-81
Date Published12/2010
PublisherPadova University Press
Place PublishedPadova, IT
ISSN Number2282-2011
Keywordsadolescence, antisocial behavior, depression, immigrant families, monitoring, parenting style
Abstract

The present study compared immigrant and Italian native families and adolescents as regard to parenting style and parental monitoring. Additionally we compared the relationships between these variables, depressive symptoms and antisocial behaviours in immigrant and Italian native families. Participants included 2533 Italian native and immigrant adolescents from high schools (male: 66.7%; mean age=17.26 S.D.=1.63). Results showed differences between Italian native and immigrant adolescents as regard to all variables. Immigrant adolescents, in comparison with Italian native adolescents, reported: to spent more time without parents, lower level of parental care, adolescent disclosure and parental solicitation, higher level of parental overprotection, control and depressive symptoms. Additional differences between Italian natives and immigrant adolescents were about the influence of these variables on depressive symptoms and antisocial behaviours. Time without parents and low level of parental care were risk factors only in immigrant families. These results could have relevant implications for prevention interventions for immigrant adolescents and families

Paper: