Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of mother’s and father’s joint parenting on young adult mental health outcomes, and to explore the impact of sex, personality and family structure in observed relationships. Two hundred and forty-five Northern Irish university students (mean age 21.11 years, SD 2.70, 66% female, 94% white) completed the Measure of Parental Style (MOPS) to measure perception of maternal and paternal indifference, overcontrol and abuse. Mental health was assessed using measures of alcohol misuse, depression and anxiety. Moderators included personality, sex and family structure. Cluster analysis revealed three parenting clusters indicative of positive parenting, negative fathering, and negative mothering. Negative parenting by either parent was associated with higher depression, regardless of sex or family structure. We found some evidence of a buffering effect of negative fathering in the context of good enough parenting from the mother, in that negative parenting from the mother, and not the father, was associated with anxiety symptoms and with earlier drinking in females. The impact of negative parenting by either parent was particularly pronounced in young people who displayed high levels of punishment sensitivity. These results highlight the importance of both parents in the preservation of mental health through to adulthood, regardless of whether they remain together. They also argue for family-focused care in the management of youth mental health.

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