Cross-Cultural Examination of Links between Parent–Adolescent Communication and Adolescent Psychological Problems in 12 Cultural Groups - PMC

Cross-Cultural Study on Parent–Adolescent Communication

• Study Objective: Investigated the reciprocal links between parent-driven communication (solicitation and behavioral control) and adolescent-driven communication (disclosure and secrecy) in relation to adolescent internalizing and externalizing psychological problems.
• Sample Size: 1,087 adolescents (mean age 13.19 years; 50% female).
• Geographic Scope: 12 cultural groups across nine countries: China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Philippines, Thailand, Sweden, and the United States.
• Key Findings:
  • Adolescent Secrecy: Consistently linked to externalizing problems across all 12 cultures; linked to internalizing problems in specific cultural contexts.
  • Reciprocity: Adolescent disclosure is a significant predictor of parent-driven communication efforts across all cultures.
  • Agency: Adolescent-driven communication (specifically secrecy) is a primary driver of psychological outcomes, suggesting that adolescents play an active, influential role in the parent–adolescent relationship.
• Definitions:
  • Parent-driven: Parent solicitation (asking questions) and behavioral control (setting rules/limits).
  • Adolescent-driven: Disclosure (sharing information) and secrecy (withholding information).
• Core Takeaway: Adolescent-driven communication strategies are critical predictors of psychological well-being and act as facilitators for parent–adolescent interaction, often carrying more weight than traditional unidirectional parenting models.