The intergenerational transmission of relationship attributions

This study explores the possibility that attributions in close relationships are transmitted intergenerationally. Using structural equation modeling with 380 intact families, we found that the relationship between parent attributions regarding an adolescent child and the adolescent\u27s attributions regarding a sibling is mediated by the level of observed negative behavior the parents direct toward the adolescent. Parent attributions of intent for adolescent misbehavior are related to increasing negativity in parents\u27 behavior, even after controlling for the adolescent\u27s observed behavior. Parents\u27 negative behavior is related to increases in adolescent negative attributions regarding a sibling, even after controlling for the sibling\u27s observed behavior. Tests of causal direction reveal that parent attributions and parent behavior have an equal influence on each other. Implications for intervention are discussed