2 research outputs found
Being Mumās Confidant, a Boon or Bane? Examining Gender Differences in the Association of Maternal Disclosure with Adolescentsā Depressive Feelings
This article reports on a longitudinal study investigating gender differences in the association between maternal disclosure and adolescentsā depressive symptoms. Little research has examined the relationship of parental disclosure to adolescentsā depressive symptoms and research on sex differences is particularly lacking. In a sample of 428 families with a mean age of 13.36 (52% female) of the target adolescents, maternal and childrenās disclosure and depressive symptoms were assessed twice with an interval of 4Ā years. Controlling for the quality of the parentāchild relationship and levels of maternal depressive symptoms, the analyses revealed an interaction effect for childās gender, moderating the effect of maternal disclosure on adolescentsā depressive symptoms. Higher levels of maternal disclosure were accompanied by lower levels of depressive symptoms in girls and higher levels of depressive symptoms in boys. Gender differences in socialization, communication, individuation and social networks might explain why daughters and sons are differently affected by maternal disclosure