A review of 25 years of research in bidirectionality in parent–child relationships: An examination of methodological approaches
Abstract
The concept of bidirectionality represents a process of mutual influence between parent and child, whereby each influences the other as well as the dyadic relationship. Despite the widespread acceptance of bidirectional models of influence, there is still a lack of integration of such models in current research designs. Research on bidirectionality could be strengthened through the adoption of advanced methodologies, including behavioral-genetic research designs and advanced structural equation modeling. The aim of this empirical review is to further advance the study of bidirectionality by evaluating the evidence from 25 years of bidirectionality research in infancy and early childhood. The review indicates significant advancements in the use of methods that address the ecological validity of bidirectional effects, as well as areas that continue to rely on correlational designs to detect bidirectional effects. We describe analytic approaches that may improve the specificity of bidirectionality evidence and highlight gene–environment interaction designs as a promising area for future bidirectionality research.
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The relationship between parenting and child emotional or behavioural problems is conceptualised as bidirectional, with parents and children shaping each other's behaviour.
“The causal pathway between parenting and child emotional or behavioural problems has long been conceptualised as bidirectional, with parents and children impacting and shaping one another's behaviour (Bell 1977;Paschall 2016;Sameroff 2003).”
From Mindfulness-enhanced parenting programmes for improving the psychosocial outcomes of children (0 to 18 years) and their parents (2024) · cites this paper as Paschall 2016
The causal relationship between parenting and child emotional or behavioural problems is bidirectional.
“The causal pathway between parenting and child emotional or behavioural problems has long been conceptualised as bidirectional, with parents and children impacting and shaping one another's behaviour (Bell 1977;Paschall 2016;Sameroff 2003).”
From Mindfulness-enhanced parenting programmes for improving the psychosocial outcomes of children (0 to 18 years) and their parents (2024) · cites this paper as Paschall 2016
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- Authors
- Paschall, K. W., & Mastergeorge, A. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Arizona (US)
- Texas Tech University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Paschall, Katherine W.
- Venue
- International Journal of Behavioral Development
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2016-07-10
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 442-451
- ISSN
- 0165-0254 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0651
- OpenAlex
- W2340242803
- Cited by
- 111
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 2
- FWCI
- 4.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Behavioral Development (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
- Keywords
- bidirectionality, parent-child relationship, reciprocal effects, gene-environment interaction, behavioral genetics, structural equation modeling, infancy, early childhood, ecological validity, correlational design
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