CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 176Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional DevelopmentAttachment and Relationship DynamicsPsychosocial Factors Impacting Youth

Prospective Relations between Family Conflict and Adolescent Maladjustment: Security in the Family System as a Mediating Process

Open access
Cummings, E. Mark, Koss, Kalsea J., Davies, Patrick T.·2015·Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
DOI 10.1007/s10802-014-9926-1PMC PMC5865390
Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

Conflict in specific family systems (e.g., interparental, parent–child) has been implicated in the development of a host of adjustment problems in adolescence, but little is known about the impact of family conflict involving multiple family systems. Furthermore, questions remain about the effects of family conflict on symptoms of specific disorders and adjustment problems and the processes mediating these effects. The present study prospectively examines the impact of family conflict and emotional security about the family system on adolescent symptoms of specific disorders and adjustment problems, including the development of symptoms of anxiety, depression, conduct problems, and peer problems. Security in the family system was examined as a mediator of these relations. Participants included 295 mother-father-adolescent families (149 girls) participating across three annual time points (grades 7–9). Including auto-regressive controls for initial levels of emotional insecurity and multiple adjustment problems (T1), higher-order emotional insecurity about the family system (T2) mediated relations between T1 family conflict and T3 peer problems, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Further analyses supported specific patterns of emotional security/insecurity (i.e., security, disengagement, preoccupation) as mediators between family conflict and specific domains of adolescent adjustment. Family conflict was thus found to prospectively predict the development of symptoms of multiple specific adjustment problems, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, conduct problems, and peer problems, by elevating in in adolescent’s emotional insecurity about the family system. The clinical implications of these findings are considered.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s10802-014-9926-1

Cites

79 of 79 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

0 of 75 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Lower security appraisals at T2 predicted increased depressive symptoms at T3.

    “In turn, lower security appraisals at T2 predicted increased depressive symptoms (β = −.25, p < .001)”
    • Also stated in: § Specific Scales of Emotional Insecurity as Mediators · plain
      “In turn, lower security appraisals at T2 predicted increased depressive symptoms (β = −.25, p < .001) whereas higher preoccupation predicted higher anxious symptoms (β = .33, p < .01).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Missing data are missing at random, so full-information maximum likelihood estimation yields unbiased parameter estimates.
  • Findingown data

    Higher preoccupation at T2 predicted higher anxious symptoms at T3.

    “whereas higher preoccupation predicted higher anxious symptoms (β = .33, p < .01).”
    • Also stated in: § Specific Scales of Emotional Insecurity as Mediators · plain
      “In turn, lower security appraisals at T2 predicted increased depressive symptoms (β = −.25, p < .001) whereas higher preoccupation predicted higher anxious symptoms (β = .33, p < .01).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Missing data are missing at random, so full-information maximum likelihood estimation yields unbiased parameter estimates.
  • Findingown data

    A latent emotional insecurity construct at T2 accounted for the link between family conflict at T1 and later peer, anxiety, and depressive symptoms at T3, after controlling for initial insecurity and adjustment.

    “Including auto-regressive controls for initial levels of emotional insecurity and multiple adjustment problems (T1), higher-order emotional insecurity about the family system (T2) mediated relations between T1 family conflict and T3 peer problems, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Family conflict cannot be confined to a single dyad and can involve multiple family members and systems.
  • Findingown data

    Analyses indicated that distinct security patterns-security, disengagement, and preoccupation-served as mediators linking family conflict to particular adolescent adjustment domains.

    “Further analyses supported specific patterns of emotional security/insecurity (i.e., security, disengagement, preoccupation) as mediators between family conflict and specific domains of adolescent adjustment.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Family conflict cannot be confined to a single dyad and can involve multiple family members and systems.
  • Findingown data

    There were no gender differences in anxious symptoms at T1.

    “There were no gender differences in depressive or anxious symptoms at T1 F(1,254) = 3.68, ns; F(1,239) = 2.24, ns, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 50
  • May combine two claims. 31

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    At T1, 18.4% of adolescents scored at or above 16 on the CES-D; at T3, 23.4% did.

    “with 18.4% (T1) and 23.4% (T3) of adolescents scoring in this range.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Family income was correlated with many study variables.

    “Family income was correlated with many of the study variables (see Table 1), thus it was included as a covariate in subsequent analyses.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    T1 symptoms were significantly correlated with T3 symptoms, indicating moderate stability.

    “T1 symptoms were significantly correlated with T3 symptoms of disorders and maladjustment, indicating moderate stability.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    There were no gender differences in peer problems at T1 or T3.

    “Additionally no gender differences were found in adolescents’ peer or conduct problems at T1 F(1,267) = 1.43, ns; F(1,262) = 1.72, ns or T3 F(1,238) = 2.04, ns; F(1,237) = 2.85, ns.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Symptoms were significantly correlated across adjustment problems within time points.

    “Additionally, symptoms were significantly correlated across adjustment problems within time points.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    Pathways of the reduced model were similar to pathways in the larger model.

    “Pathways of this reduced model were similar to pathways in the larger model.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Missing data are missing at random, so full-information maximum likelihood estimation yields unbiased parameter estimates.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    A secure base helps adolescents balance autonomy development with continued relatedness in the family.

    “With regard to stage salient tasks of adolescence, a secure base allows for adolescents to strike a balance between the need to develop autonomy while maintaining relatedness in the family system (Allen & Antonishak, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Allen & Antonishak, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisenone given

    Earlier studies have usually used broad internalizing or externalizing indicators rather than predicting specific symptoms such as depression or peer problems.

    “Additionally, past research has typically examined relations with relatively broad-band indicators of adjustment problems, that is, internalizing and/or externalizing problems, rather the prediction of specific symptoms or problems (e.g., depression, peer problems).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Prior work has long associated family conflict with children's risk of developing adjustment problems.

    “Conflict in the family has long been linked with children’s risk for the development of adjustment problems (e.g., Cummings & Davies, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    EST applies secure base concepts to other family relationships, making multiple family relationships relevant to youth insecurity and highlighting the family as a whole.

    “These notions are extended to other family relations by EST, so that multiple family relationships are seen as pertinent to youth’s emotional insecurity, calling attention to the family as a whole in contributing to children’s emotional security.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Insecurity in the family may raise maladjustment risk by increasing emotional and behavioral dysregulation and by creating negative representations of family relationships.

    “Emotional security in the family may increase the risk for youth maladjustment by increasing their emotional and behavioral dysregulation as well as engendering negative representations of family relationships (Cummings & Davies, 1996).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 1996 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    EST broadens emotional security beyond specific dyads and treats youth's security as an important goal across multiple family relationships.

    “However, EST extends the study of emotional security beyond specific dyadic relationships and posits that youth’s emotional security is a significant goal in relation to multiple family relationships (Cummings & Davies, 1996).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 1996 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Studies have shown links between youth adjustment and insecurity about interparental conflict and parent-child attachment insecurity.

    “Research has demonstrated relations between youth adjustment and emotional insecurity about interparental conflict (Cummings & Davies, 2010) and parent-child attachment insecurity (DeKlyen & Greenberg, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites DeKlyen & Greenberg, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Secure base concepts underlie both EST and attachment theory.

    “Secure base notions are at the foundation of both EST and attachment theory (Cummings & Davies, 2010; Waters & Cummings, 2000).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Waters & Cummings, 2000 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Maintaining emotional security during family conflict consumes psychological and physical resources, which limits pursuit of developmental goals and raises maladjustment risk.

    “Also, the process of preserving emotional security in the face of family conflict requires considerable expenditures of psychological and physical resources, limiting capacities to pursue developmental goals and increasing risk for exhibiting psychological maladjustment (Davies et al., 2002).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Davies et al., 2002 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    EST proposes that maintaining protection, safety, and security is a primary goal for children and adolescents.

    “EST posits that maintaining a sense of protection, safety, and security is a primary goal for children and adolescents (Davies, Harold, Goeke-Morey, & Cummings, 2002).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Davies, Harold, Goeke-Morey, & Cummings, 2002

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Emotional Security Theory holds that children's adjustment depends on how secure they feel within the family system.

    “EST postulates that children’s adjustment is influenced by the extent to which they feel secure in the family system.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Davies & Cummings, 1994 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Among families participating at T2, 94.0% participated at T3.

    “Additionally, of families participating at T2, 94.0% participated at T3 (n = 250; T3 child M age = 15.40 years, SD = .63).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The original cohort was slightly younger than the supplemental cohort at T1, so age was included as a covariate.

    “however the adolescents in the original cohort were slightly younger (M = 13.03, SD = .53; F(1,252) = 7.50, p < .01) than the supplemental cohort (M = 13.23, SD = .52) at T1; thus, age was included as a covariate in analyses.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The FES conflict scale had adequate internal reliability in the current sample (mother α = .74; father α = .69).

    “Internal reliability was adequate in the current sample (mother-report α = .74; father-report α = .69).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Emotional and behavioral dysregulation has been linked to insecure attachment and to insecurity about interparental conflict, with prospective associations to externalizing and internalizing symptoms.

    “Problems in emotional and behavioral dyregulation have been linked both with insecure attachment (Esbjorn, Bender, Reinholdt-Dunne, Munck, & Ollendick, 2012) and insecurity about interparental conflict, including demonstrations of effects on emotional and behavioral responses linked prospectively to externalizing and internalizing symptoms (e.g., Davies et al., 2002; Harold, Shelton, Goeke-Morey &”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Esbjorn, Bender, Reinholdt-Dunne, Munck, & Ollendick, 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Davies et al., 2002 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Harold, Shelton, Goeke-Morey & Cummings, 2004 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Groh and colleagues' meta-analysis found small but significant links between attachment insecurity and internalizing problems, with avoidant patterns most strongly tied to internalizing disorders.

    “Based on a meta-analysis of attachment studies primarily concerned with samples examined in infancy and early childhood, including both community and clinical samples, Groh and colleagues (Groh, Roisman, van IJzendoorn, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & Fearon, 2012) reported small but significant associations between attachment insecurity and internalizing problems, with avoidant patterns most closely”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Groh, Roisman, van IJzendoorn, Bakermans-Kranenburg, & Fearon, 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The Negativity/Conflict scale had an ICC of .81 in the current sample.

    “Reliability for the Negativity/Conflict scale was ICC = .81.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Forman and Davies report good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity for the three SIFS subscales.

    “Forman and Davies (2005) report good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity of the three subscales.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Forman & Davies, 2005 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The SCIFF has good concurrent and construct validity.

    “The SCIFF has good concurrent and constructive validity (Lindahl & Malik, 2001).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Lindahl & Malik, 2001

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Moos and Moos report good discriminant validity and test-retest reliability for the standard true-false FES conflict scale.

    “Moos and Moos (2002) report good discriminant validity and test-retest reliability on the standard true-false version of the scale.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Moos & Moos, 2002

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In community samples, peer rejection and unpopularity are linked to externalizing problems, while low peer acceptance, social isolation, and perceived social incompetence are linked to internalizing problems.

    “In studies of community samples, peer rejection and unpopularity are linked with externalizing problems whereas lack of peer acceptance, social isolation, and perceptions of social incompetence are associated with internalizing problems (Hymel, Rubin, Rowden, & LeMare, 1990; van Lier & Koot, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Hymel, Rubin, Rowden, & LeMare, 1990

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites van Lier & Koot, 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Family discord has been linked to adolescent depression etiology, but few prospective studies exist, and links between family conflict and anxiety symptoms are little studied.

    “However, although family discord has been linked with the etiology of adolescent depression (see meta-analysis by Kane & Garber, 2004), few prospective studies have been conducted; relations between family conflict and anxiety symptoms are little explored (Epkins & Heckler, 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Kane & Garber, 2004 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Epkins & Heckler, 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    According to EST and attachment theory, threats to emotional security trigger fear and anxiety aimed at regaining security, which if persistent may raise risk for internalizing problems including anxiety.

    “According to EST (Davies et al, 2002) and attachment theory (Bowlby, 1973), threats to emotional insecurity activate emotional reactions of fear and anxiety in the service of the goal of acting to regain security, which, if persisting over time, may contribute to the risk for internalizing problems, including symptoms of anxiety.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Davies et al, 2002 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Bowlby, 1973

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Seventy-nine percent of families participated at all three time points.

    “Seventy-nine percent of families participated in all three time points.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Externalizing problems are mediated by insecurity about interparental conflict, and destructive interparental conflict is linked to child aggression.

    “Notably, links with externalizing problems mediated by emotional insecurity about interparental conflict are found (Cummings & Davies, 2010), with destructive interparental conflict linked with child aggression (e.g., Cummings, Goeke-Morey, & Papp, 2004).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Cummings, Goeke-Morey, & Papp, 2004 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Colonnesi et al. found links from early childhood to adolescence between insecure attachment and anxiety.

    “In another meta-analysis, Colonnesi et al. (2011) reported links from early childhood to adolescence between insecure attachment and anxiety.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Colonnesi et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Secure adolescents are expected to rely on parents for safety and protection, and secure appraisals are expected to reduce adjustment problems.

    “In regard to these specific patterns, secure adolescents are expected to be able to rely on their parents for safety, security, and protection, with secure appraisals reducing adjustment problems.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Little is known about emotional insecurity as a mediator for conduct problems specifically.

    “Although conduct problems are linked with interparental conflict, little is known about emotional insecurity as a mediating process for this specific type of symptoms (Cummings & Davies, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Keelan et al. found that bullies, bully/victims, and victims scored lower on SIFS emotional security about the family than control/normative families.

    “Suggesting relations between peer problems and diminished security about the family system as a whole, in a study based on a community sample, Keelan, Schenk, McNally, and Fremouw (2014) reported that bullys, bully/ victims, and victims had lower scores on emotional security about the family based on the SIFS compared to control/normative families.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Keelan, Schenk, McNally, and Fremouw, 2014 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Among families participating at T1, 95.0% participated at T2.

    “Of families participating at T1 (n = 280), 95.0% participated at T2 (n = 266; T2 child M age = 14.25 years, SD = .57).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Anxiety and depression share common etiologies and are typically comorbid.

    “With regard to outcomes assessed in the present study, anxiety and depression share common etiologies (e.g., Hankin, Abramson, Miller & Haeffel, 2004), and are typically found to be co-morbid (see reviews in Gallerani, Garber, & Martin, 2010; Garber & Weersing, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Hankin, Abramson, Miller & Haeffel, 2004 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Gallerani, Garber, & Martin, 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Garber & Weersing, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Attachment insecurity was more strongly associated with externalizing than internalizing symptoms.

    “They also reported that attachment insecurity was more strongly associated with externalizing than internalizing symptoms (see also Groh et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Groh et al., 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Forman and Davies proposed that disengaged patterns involve emotional disengagement and downplaying family importance, and found this pattern linked to greater externalizing risk.

    “On the other hand, Forman and Davies (2005) posited that disengaged patterns reflected emotional disengagement from social relations and a downplaying of the significance of the family, and found that this pattern was linked with increased risk for externalizing symptoms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Forman & Davies, 2005 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    The model test's rigor is strengthened by testing all mental health symptom outcomes simultaneously and by including autoregressive controls for initial symptom levels and initial emotional insecurity.

    “The rigor of the theoretically-driven model test is increased by simultaneously testing relations with symptoms of mental health problems as outcomes, including autoregressive controls for initial levels (T1) of symptoms, and initial levels of emotional insecurity about the family system.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Conduct and other externalizing problems have been linked to interparental conflict in clinical and community samples and to emotional security in interparental and parent-child relationships.

    “Externalizing problems, including conduct problems, have been linked with interparental conflict in both clinical and community samples and with emotional security in both interparental (Cummings & Davies, 2010) and parent-child relationships (DeKlyen & Greenberg, 2008).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites DeKlyen & Greenberg, 2008

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire discriminated between high-risk and low-risk samples, supporting its criterion validity.

    “Additionally they found that the SDQ discriminated between high risk and low risk samples in support of criterion validity.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Goodman and Scott (1999) source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Low reliabilities of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scales, especially the peer and conduct problems subscales, have been consistently found.

    “Low reliabilities of these scales have been consistently found (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994); particularly for the peer and conduct problems subscales (Bourdon et al., 2005; McCrory & Layte, 2012; Muris et al., 2003).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Bourdon et al., 2005 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites McCrory & Layte, 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale has good construct validity and adequate reliability.

    “The RCMAS has good construct validity and adequate reliability (Reynolds, 1980; Reynolds & Paget, 1983)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Reynolds, 1980 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Reynolds & Paget, 1983 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Goodman and Scott reported that Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scales correlated more highly with interview-based ratings of clinical symptoms than the Child Behavior Checklist.

    “Goodman and Scott (1999) reported the SDQ scales were more highly correlated with interview-based ratings of clinical symptoms than the Child Behavior Checklist.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Goodman and Scott (1999) source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    The original Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire subscales were constructed to maximize clinical significance, which increased predictive validity while reducing internal consistency.

    “Scale construction of the original SDQ focused on the creation of subscales that maximize clinical significance, resulting in heightened predictive validity while reducing the internal consistency of the SDQ scales.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Scores of 19 or greater on the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale indicate clinical levels of anxiety.

    “Scores of 19 or greater reflect clinical levels of anxiety (Stellard, Velleman, Langsford, & Baldwin, 2001)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Stellard, Velleman, Langsford, & Baldwin, 2001 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    A CES-D score of 16 or higher reflects clinical depression levels in adult samples.

    “Scores of 16 or higher reflect clinical levels of depression in adult samples (Radloff & Teri, 1986)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Radloff & Teri, 1986 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale had good internal reliability in the current sample at T1 and T3.

    “good internal reliability for the current sample (T1 α = .87; T3 α = .86)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire peer problems and conduct problems subscales had low internal reliabilities in the current sample.

    “Internal reliabilities in the current sample were low (peer problems: T1 α = .44, T3 α = .52; conduct problems: T1 α = .64, T3 α = .64).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The SIFS subscales had adequate internal reliability in the current sample: preoccupation T1 α = .83 and T2 α = .90; security T1 α = .85 and T2 α = .83; disengagement T1 α = .84 and T2 α = .89.

    “Internal reliability in the current sample were preoccupation: T1 α = .83, T2 α = .90; security: T1 α = .85, T2 α = .83; and disengagement subscale: T1 α = .84, T2 α = .89.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The CES-D had adequate internal reliability in the current sample (T1 α = .87; T3 α = .89).

    “had adequate internal reliability in the current sample (T1 α = .87; T3 α = .89).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The present findings are more indicative of the relative size of the relations between earlier anxiety symptoms and later depressive symptoms than a lack of relationship between early and later depression symptoms.

    “The present findings are thus more indicative of the relative size of the relations between earlier anxiety symptoms and later depressive symptoms than a lack of relationship between early and later depression symptoms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Secure patterns mediated relations between family conflict and adolescent mental health, and heightened security was linked with reduced symptoms of depression, conduct problems, and peer problems.

    “Secure patterns also mediated relations between family conflict and adolescent mental health; heightened security was linked with reduced symptoms of depression, conduct problems, and peer problems.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The mediation pathways can be interpreted as causal or process relations because there are no unmeasured confounders of family conflict, emotional insecurity, and adolescent symptoms.
    • Rests on an assumption: Missing data are missing at random, so full-information maximum likelihood estimation yields unbiased parameter estimates.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Anxiety and depression have been found to be co-morbid.

    “Anxiety and depression have been found to be co-morbid (Garber & Weersing, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Garber & Weersing, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Specific patterns of emotional security were identified in the development of conduct problems, including negative relations with security and positive relations with disengagement.

    “Specific patterns of emotional security were identified in the development of symptoms of conduct problems, including negative relations with security and positive relations with disengagement, highlighting the role of security processes in the development of these symptoms.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The mediation pathways can be interpreted as causal or process relations because there are no unmeasured confounders of family conflict, emotional insecurity, and adolescent symptoms.
    • Rests on an assumption: Missing data are missing at random, so full-information maximum likelihood estimation yields unbiased parameter estimates.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The impact of interparental conflict has negative or positive consequences depending on whether conflict behaviors are destructive or constructive.

    “For example, the impact of interparental conflict has been found to have negative or positive consequences depending on whether the conflict behaviors are destructive or constructive, respectively (Cummings & Davies, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationown data

    The present study illuminates family factors and response processes affecting adolescents' risk for symptoms of specific disorders.

    “The present study further illuminates family factors and response processes affecting adolescents’ risk for symptoms of specific disorders.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Interpersonal stress, psychosocial adversity, and the emotional climate in the family have been related to adolescents' symptoms of disorders.

    “Interpersonal stress (Carter & Garber, 2011; Krackow & Rudolph, 2008; Pine, Cohen, Johnson & Brooks, 2002), psychosocial adversity (Foster, Webster, Weissman et al., 2008), and the emotional climate in the family (Nomura et al., 2002) have been related to adolescents’ symptoms of disorders.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Carter & Garber, 2011 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Krackow & Rudolph, 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Pine, Cohen, Johnson & Brooks, 2002 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The study relied on adolescents' self-report measures of symptoms.

    “Additionally, the study relied on adolescents’ self-report measures of symptoms; the use of clinical diagnostic tools is an important direction for future research.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationown data

    The findings suggest psychological interventions geared toward improving conflict resolution in the family and emotional security in the family system hold promise for reducing multiple mental health symptoms in adolescents.

    “The findings suggest psychological interventions geared toward improving conflict resolution in the family and emotional security in the family system hold promise for reducing multiple mental health symptoms of psychopathology in adolescents.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Coping responses serve to regain or maintain a secure base within the family when coping with threatening interpersonal stress and adversity.

    “These coping responses serve to regain or maintain a secure base within the family when coping with threatening interpersonal stress and adversity (Waters & Cummings, 2000).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Waters & Cummings, 2000 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Conflict is a distressing concern for children, and regardless of gender, children employ similar types of coping mechanisms.

    “suggesting that conflict is a distressing concern for children and regardless of gender, children employ the similar types of coping mechanisms.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Davies, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Family conflict is conceptualized as an index of the emotional climate of the family, and adolescents' reactions to family conflict are conceptualized as coping processes.

    “Complementing this research, family conflict is conceptualized as an index of the emotional climate of the family and adolescents’ reactions to family conflict are conceptualized as coping processes (Cummings & Cummings, 1988).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Cummings & Cummings, 1988 source

      Not checked in the free run.

64 of 64

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Family conflict cannot be confined to a single dyad and can involve multiple family members and systems.

    “However, conflict may be difficult to confine to one specific dyad and may involve multiple family members and systems (i.e., both parents and children).”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The mediation pathways can be interpreted as causal or process relations because there are no unmeasured confounders of family conflict, emotional insecurity, and adolescent symptoms.

    “The SEM mediation model included family income and child age as covariates. Autoregressive controls at T1 were included for emotional security and adolescent symptoms.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Missing data are missing at random, so full-information maximum likelihood estimation yields unbiased parameter estimates.

    “AMOS utilizes full-information maximum likelihood estimation to account for missing data.”
3 of 3

Statistics recomputed

Every reported test result, recomputed from its test statistic and degrees of freedom. A result shows as not adding up only once an independent check has confirmed it.

  • ConsistentF(1, 252) = 7.5reported p < .01 · recomputed p = .007

    “F(1,252) = 7.50, p < .01”

  • ConsistentF(1, 254) = 3.68reported n.s. · recomputed p = .056

    “F(1,254) = 3.68, ns”

  • ConsistentF(1, 239) = 2.24reported n.s. · recomputed p = .136

    “F(1,239) = 2.24, ns”

  • ConsistentF(1, 230) = 4.65reported p < .05 · recomputed p = .032

    “F(1,230) = 4.65, p < .05”

  • ConsistentF(1, 227) = 11.15reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “F(1,227) = 11.15, p < .001”

  • ConsistentF(1, 267) = 1.43reported n.s. · recomputed p = .233

    “F(1,267) = 1.43, ns”

  • ConsistentF(1, 262) = 1.72reported n.s. · recomputed p = .191

    “F(1,262) = 1.72, ns”

  • ConsistentF(1, 238) = 2.04reported n.s. · recomputed p = .155

    “F(1,238) = 2.04, ns”

  • ConsistentF(1, 237) = 2.85reported n.s. · recomputed p = .093

    “F(1,237) = 2.85, ns.”

  • Consistentχ²(90) = 232.06reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2(90)= 232.06, p < .001”

  • Consistentχ²(50) = 100.67reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2(50)= 100.67, p < .001”

  • Consistentχ²(50) = 105.25reported p < .001 · recomputed p < .001

    “χ2(50)= 105.25, p < .001”

12 of 12

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Depression cutoff falls below the minimum described score

    Minor

    With 20 items rated from 1 to 4, a summed score cannot be below 20. On the scoring described, every adolescent would meet a cutoff of 16, rather than only the reported 18.4% at T1 and 23.4% at T3. The text does not describe a recoding that would resolve this.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

4 of the 83 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Allen, J. P., & Antonishak, J. (2008). Understanding adolescent peer influences: Beyond the dark side. In M. J. Prinstein & K. S. Dodge (Eds.), Peer Influence Among Youth. New York: Guilford Press.
  2. Cummings, E. M., & Cicchetti, D. (1990). Towards a transactional model of relations between attachment and depression. In M. Greenberg, D. Cicchetti, & E. M. Cummings (Eds.), Attachment in the preschool years: Theory, research, and intervention (pp. 339–372). Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press.
  3. Moos, R. H., & Moos, B. S. (2002). Family Environment Scale manual (3rd ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Mind Garden.
  4. Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Cummings, E. M., Koss, K. J., & Davies, P. T.
Affiliations
  • University of Notre Dame (US)
  • University of Minnesota (US)
  • University of Rochester (US)
Corresponding author
Cummings, E. Mark
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2014-08-19
Volume
43
Issue
3
Pages
503-515
ISSN
  • 0091-0627 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-2835
DOI
10.1007/s10802-014-9926-1
PMC
PMC5865390
OpenAlex
W2019753593
Semantic Scholar
6daef4f479d0ea5b64c8c8209fdb0ce304547a1e
Cited by
176
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 3
FWCI
5.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Rochester
  • University of Notre Dame
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH 57318, R01MH057318, T32MH015755)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Psychosocial Factors Impacting Youth
Keywords
family conflict, adolescent maladjustment, emotional safety, emotional insecurity, mediation, parental conflict, parent-child conflict, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, conduct problems, peer problems, disengagement, preoccupation
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Anxiety Disorders, Child Behavior Disorders, Conflict, Psychological, Depressive Disorder, Family, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Interpersonal Relations, Male, Models, Psychological, Parent-Child Relations, Peer Group, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Adjustment, Conduct Disorder, Family Conflict

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-09-28.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-28.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review