Bidirectional Associations Between Primary Caregivers' and Adolescents' Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms: An Intergenerational Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Extensive research has focused on the top-down intergenerational transmission of psychopathological symptoms (ITP). However, little is known about the bidirectional and transactional dynamics of ITP between primary caregivers and their adolescent offspring in community-based samples. In particular, the moderating roles of caregiver and adolescent gender in these intergenerational associations remain underexplored.

METHODS

Between 2021 and 2022, a total of 1414 primary caregiver-adolescent dyads completed two waves of surveys assessing sociodemographic characteristics, as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms. The actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) was applied to examine the bidirectional transactional patterns of psychopathological symptoms within these dyads. Multiple-group comparison tests were conducted to evaluate the moderating effects of caregiver and adolescent gender on these associations.

RESULTS

Adolescents' depressive and anxiety symptoms significantly predicted subsequent depressive and anxiety symptoms in their primary caregivers. In contrast, only caregivers' anxiety symptoms were found to predict subsequent adolescents' depressive and anxiety symptoms. Multiple-group comparison tests indicated no significant moderating effects of caregiver or adolescent gender on the ITP.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that depressive and anxiety symptoms may be mutually reinforced between adolescents and primary caregivers over time. A family-based approach to early identification and prevention could be a promising direction for interrupting escalating cycles of negative emotions across generations.