Parent–Child Boundary Dissolution and Children's Psychological Difficulties: A Meta-Analytic Review.

Boundary dissolution has broadly been defined as the breakdown of boundaries and loss of psychological distinctiveness in the parent–child subsystem. Qualitative reviews have highlighted the developmental and clinical value of examining boundary dissolution as a multidimensional construct. Though prior work suggests patterns share minimal variance, research has yet to quantitatively synthesize the weighted effect of distinct patterns. The primary aim of this meta-analysis was to aggregate empirical research on associations between boundary dissolution patterns and children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Four patterns of boundary dissolution were identified across developmental, clinical, and family systems literatures: (a) enmeshment—entanglement and blurring of the intergenerational parent–child boundary through psychologically controlling and intrusive behaviors, (b) disorganization—chaotic parent–child boundary (e.g., inexplicable, contradictory behaviors, and responses) reflecting no coherent pattern of relating, (c) caregiving—child functions as a caregiver providing parents with instrumental and emotional support and guidance, and (d) coerciveness—child operates as a disciplinarian or authoritarian to intimidate and control parents. The meta-analysis reviewed 478 studies. Although each boundary dissolution pattern was associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms, weighted effects across patterns significantly varied in magnitude. Regarding externalizing symptoms, the weighted effect of enmeshment was stronger relative to the weighted effect of caregiving. Turning to internalizing symptoms, the weighted effect of enmeshment was stronger than the weighted effect of caregiving and coerciveness. Additionally, the weighted effect of disorganization was stronger than the weighted effect of caregiving. The robustness of weighted effects depended on child, contextual, and methodological characteristics as well as time lag. Public Significance Statement: The identification of (a) boundary dissolution patterns that were more strongly associated with children's adjustment than other boundary dissolution patterns and (b) children and families for whom associations between boundary dissolution and adjustment were strongest highlights the importance of developing intervention and prevention priorities to target those most at risk. Moreover, the magnitude of associations between boundary dissolution patterns and children's adjustment was stable across time, underscoring the value of testing the long-term efficacy of intervention and prevention programs. Finally, variations in the robustness of the weighted effect across methodological procedures will help advance the development and refinement of methodological instruments to assess boundary dissolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]