1146 - MECHANISMS OF INTERGENERATIONAL ANXIETY TRANSMISSION IN CHINESE ADOLESCENTS: A LONGITUDINAL CHAIN MEDIATION MODEL

Session: D06S024 - Family and Intergenerational Processes 3
AUTHORS:
Luo Yuhan (Minzu University of China ~ Beijing ~ China) , Chen Fumei (Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Wang Yun (Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Yang Zhengqian (Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Zhang Yifan (Beijing Normal University ~ Beijing ~ China) , Yu Hongyu (Minzu University of China ~ Beijing ~ China)
Abstract text:
Introduction: Previous studies have shown that anxiety can be transmitted within families. An updated conceptual model on the intergenerational transmission of anxiety proposed cognitive process and parenting behaviors that convey anxiety risk to the offspring. However, these two pathways are typically examined separately, and how they jointly contribute to the intergenerational transmission of anxiety remains unclear.
Purpose: To explore the role of parenting behaviors and cognitive process in the relationship of anxiety transmission. The study assess mother's response to children's negative emotions (RCNE) to reflect emotional parenting behaviors, and assess children's cognitive process by measuring their perceptions of themselves (self-esteem) and the external world (interpretation and beliefs).
Method: This three-wave longitudinal study was conducted from November 2021 (T1) to December 2022 (T3) and included 1,766 adolescents (53.0% male; mean age = 13.30 ± 0.49 years). The following variables were assessed: maternal anxiety at T1 (mother-reported), RCNE at T1 (mother-reported), interpretation and beliefs at T2 (adolescent-reported), self-esteem at T2 (adolescent-reported), and adolescent anxiety at both T1 and T3 (adolescent-reported).
Results: (1) After control gender and T1 adolescent's anxiety, the chain mediation model showed good fit: 2[12] =87.62, p<0.001; CFI=0.982, TLI=0.936, RMSEA=0.060, SRMR=0.033. (2) Negative response, interpretation and beliefs, and self-esteem mediated the relationship between maternal anxiety and adolescent anxiety (effect sizes = 0.025, 95% CI [0.009, 0.043]; 0.006, 95% CI [0.001, 0.014]; and 0.011, 95% CI [0.002, 0.023], respectively); (3) Positive response and adolescent interpretation and beliefs showed a chain mediation effect between maternal and adolescent anxiety (effect size = 0.003, 95% CI [0.001, 0.007]). Similarly, positive response and adolescent self-esteem also demonstrated a chain mediation effect (effect size = 0.009, 95% CI [0.006, 0.015]).
Conclusions: Maternal anxiety influences adolescent anxiety through parenting responses and child cognitive biases, highlighting potential family intervention targets for breaking intergenerational transmission.