Linda C. Robinson

Gender Differences in Adolescent Perceptions of Parent-Adolescent Openness in Communication and Adolescent Empathy

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine how the relationship between adolescent perceptions of openness in parent-adolescent communication and adolescent empathy may differ by gender of the respondent. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to test the possibility of an interaction between adolescent gender and parent communication in predicting two other-oriented dimensions of empathy (empathic concern and perspective taking) in 236 adolescents ages 14 tol6. Gender of the adolescent, openness in mother-adolescent communication, and openness in father-adolescent communication were significant predictors of adolescent empathic concern. Gender also moderated the relationship between openness in mother-adolescent communication and empathic concern. Further, openness in mother-adolescent communication was a significant predictor of adolescent perspective taking.

Adolescent Perceptions of Their Family System, Parents' Behavior, Self-Esteem, and Family Life Satisfaction in Relation to Their Substance Use.

ABSTRACT A path model was utilized to determine the relationship of demographic, family system, adolescent perceptions of parental behavior, and youth characteristics to adolescent substance abuse. Self-report questionnaire data were collected from 214 high school students at two high schools in a southwestern state. Results showed direct positive relationships of adolescent reports of parental substance use and adolescent reports of parental support with adolescent reports of substance use. Indirect relationships were found for school, gender of the adolescent, family hardiness, family coherence and parental substance use to perceived parental support to adolescent substance use. Implications are presented for prevention and intervention at multiple levels of the family system in relation to adolescent substance use.

Parent and Stepparent Support and Psychological Control in Remarried Families and Adolescent Empathic Concern

Abstract Using a symbolic interaction perspective, this study examined the extent to which (a) perceptions of parent/stepparent support were positively related to adolescent empathic concern and (b) perceptions of parent/stepparent psychological control mediated this relationship. Participants were a convenience sample of 72 ninth and tenth grade adolescents residing in remarried family households who completed self-report questionnaires. Results showed that adolescent girls in remarried family households who perceived their residential parent as more supportive reported greater empathic concern and that the relationship was mediated by perceptions of parent psychological control.