The association between parent-adolescent conflicts and depressive mood: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study used a three-level meta-analysis to examine the impact of parent-adolescent conflicts on depressive mood, specifically analyzing differences between father-adolescent conflict and mother-adolescent conflict, as well as the moderating factors affecting their relationship. Positive parent-adolescent relationships are vital for adolescent development, and understanding the negative impact of parent-adolescent conflict on mental health is crucial for developing effective interventions and fostering positive family relationships.

METHODS

A systematic search of literature published before December 2024 identified 46 studies with 31,147 participants and 157 independent effect sizes. A three-level meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between parent- adolescent conflict and depression.

RESULTS

The overall analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation between parent- adolescent conflict and depression (r = 0.267, p < 0.001). The study design influenced this association, with a stronger correlation in cross-sectional studies (r = 0.320, p = 0.004) compared to longitudinal studies (r = 0.227, p = 0.004). Moderator analysis revealed that the measurement tool and publication year were significant moderators. The correlation was stronger when measured with the NRI (r = 0.341, p = 0.005) and in more recent studies (r = 0.264, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

These findings show that research design and measurement tools affect the link between parent- adolescent conflict and adolescent depressive mood, highlighting the need for future studies to consider these factors and their broader implications for fostering positive parent- adolescent relationships.