Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2026
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Danielle Harrell
Second Advisor
Philip Baiden
Third Advisor
Jennifer Murphy
Fourth Advisor
Kristian Jones
Abstract
Mental health challenges can emerge across childhood and adolescence, often manifesting as internalizing and externalizing behaviors. These outcomes are shaped by the complex interplay of environmental and contextual influences, particularly parenting practices and family dynamics. This study examines how parental practices and caregiver-child relationship quality influence adolescent internalizing and externalizing behaviors while accounting for key sociodemographic factors, including sex, race/ethnicity, maternal education, income, and household structure. Using a longitudinal design, secondary data were drawn from the Future of Families and Child Well-being Study. The analytic sample included adolescents and caregivers with data from Wave 5 (Year 9) and Wave 6 (Year 15). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations between parental monitoring, aggravation in parenting, caregiver-child relationship quality, and adolescent behavioral outcomes. Results indicated that the internalizing model was statistically significant F(14, 1937) = 6.09, p < .001, explaining 14% of the variance. Aggravation in parenting (β = -.27, p < .001) child sex (β = .20, p < .001) were significant predictors. The externalizing model was also significant, F(14, 1937) = 5.43, p < .001, explaining approximately 12% of variance. Aggravation in parenting (β = -.21, p < .001) and maternal relationship status (non-residential union: β = .13, p < .01; no relationship; β = .20, p < .01) emerged as key predictors. Overall, findings underscore the importance of family emotional climate and relational context in shaping adolescent behavioral outcomes, within implications for family-centered interventions and prevention efforts.
Keywords
Early childhood, Adolescence, Internalizing behavior, Externalizing behavior, Parenting practices
Disciplines
Development Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Spikes, Angela J., "Family Factors and Adolescent Behavior: How Parenting Practices and Parent-Child Relationships Shape Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors" (2026). Social Work Dissertations. 1.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/socialwork_dissertations2/1