Steinberg, L. D. (1981). Transformations in family relations at puberty. Developmental Psychology, 17(6), 833-840.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.17.6.833
27 triads of 11–14 yr old boys and their parents were observed 3 times during 1 yr, and changes in family interaction patterns were examined as a function of the physical maturation of the adolescent. Several hypotheses derived from L. Steinberg and J. Hill"s (see record 1979-28200-001) cross-sectional study were tested. Results suggest that the early part of the pubertal cycle is characterized by increasing conflict between the adolescent and his mother but that this conflict subsides after the boy passes the pubertal apex. Specifically, as the adolescent matures from the onset of puberty to the pubertal apex, (a) adolescents and mothers interrupt each other with increasing frequency, (b) adolescents defer to their mother with decreasing frequency, (c) adolescents and mothers explain themselves less frequently, and (d) patterns of family interaction become more rigid. Following the pubertal apex, however, (e) mother"s interruption of the son declines and (f) family interaction becomes less rigid. Changes in the adolescent–father relationship show a different pattern, characterized overall by increased paternal assertiveness and adolescent deference. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)