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Parent-Child Relationships and Well-Being

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Research, Applications, and Interventions for Children and Adolescents

Abstract

This chapter provides insight about links between parenting practices and youth well-being. We begin by providing comprehensive definitions of well-being and parent-child relationships in the context of positive psychology. Findings from empirical studies documenting associations between aspects of the parent-child relationship and indicators of youth well-being are summarized. Taken together, this body of research suggests that high levels of authoritative parenting practices, such as warmth/responsiveness/emotional support and firm behavioral control, co-occur with subjective well-being in adolescents. Applications of these findings are extended to interventions which target parenting practices as a way to promote positive outcomes for youth, as well as interventions focusing on increasing parents’ positive emotions and subjective well-being as a method to improve youth well-being. Additionally, theoretical frameworks for integrating positive psychology into clinical work with families are described. Lastly, practical recommendations are provided along with directions for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological and Social Foundations, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, EDU 105, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

    Shannon M. Suldo & Sarah A. Fefer

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  1. Shannon M. Suldo
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  2. Sarah A. Fefer
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Correspondence to Shannon M. Suldo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Positive Psycology Research Centre, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands, GY1 6HL, United Kingdom

    Carmel Proctor

  2. Centre of Applied Positive Psychology, Sir William Lyons Road, Coventry, United Kingdom

    P. Alex Linley

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Suldo, S.M., Fefer, S.A. (2013). Parent-Child Relationships and Well-Being. In: Proctor, C., Linley, P. (eds) Research, Applications, and Interventions for Children and Adolescents. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6398-2_8

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