Intergenerational continuity of social competence via parent–child bonding

Wiertsema M, Vrijen C, van der Ploeg R, Hartman C, Kretschmer T (2025)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

European Journal of Developmental Psychology Taylor & Francis (Psychology Press): STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles / Taylor & Francis (Psychology Press)

Book Volume: 22

Pages Range: 834-851

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1080/17405629.2025.2542853

Abstract

We examined whether parental social competence in adolescence was associated with parent–child bonding and, by extension, offspring’s social competence in childhood. Using a sample of prospective data collected over two decades from n = 473 parents (70% mothers) with n = 742 children (52% girls) who participated in the TRacking Adolescents’ Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) cohort and its next-generation spin-off study (TRAILS NEXT), we modelled links between parental social competence at age 11, parent–child bonding when offspring were 3 months old, and offspring’s social competence at 30 months old. Adolescents’ assertion and cooperation were linked to parent–child bonding 20 years later. Parental assertion, but not cooperation or self-control, indirectly predicted offspring social competence via parent–child bonding. We found no evidence for intergenerational continuity of social competence in form of a direct effect. The results suggest that parent–child relationship quality predicts offspring’s social competence better than parents’ social competence but origins of variance in the latter partly precede parenthood.

Authors with CRIS profile

Tina Kretschmer Lehrstuhl für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie

Involved external institutions

University of Groningen / Rijksuniversiteit Groningen NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Wiertsema, M., Vrijen, C., van der Ploeg, R., Hartman, C., & Kretschmer, T. (2025). Intergenerational continuity of social competence via parent–child bonding. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 22(6), 834-851. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2025.2542853

MLA:

Wiertsema, Maria, et al. "Intergenerational continuity of social competence via parent–child bonding." European Journal of Developmental Psychology 22.6 (2025): 834-851.

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