Effect of Reproductive Status Changes on Family Functioning and Well-Being of Mothers and Daughters

Associations among family relations, mother reproductive status, daughter reproductive timing, and well-being were examined in 144 mothers and their adolescent daughters. First, effects of mother reproductive status and daughter reproductive timing on reports of family functioning were explored. Mothers of early maturing daughters perceived less family conflict than did those with on-time or late daughters. Second, the correlates of mother and daughter well-being were examined. Maternal perceptions of family cohesion were associated negatively with maternal depressive affect and positively with maternal body image. Maternal dieting behavior and bulimic symptoms were higher in postmenstrual mothers. For daughters, maternal perceptions of family cohesion were associated negatively with dieting and bulimic symptoms, and positively with body image. The interaction between mother menstrual status and daughter age at first menarche also influenced daughter dieting. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for mother-daughter interaction during the adolescent years.