CONFERENCE | PARENTING STYLES, BONDING AND FRUSTRATION TOLERANCE: INTERGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION FROM GRANDPARENTS-PARENTS-GRANDCHILDREN

Literature has demonstrated the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles and attachment. However, there is little literature on the transmission of frustration tolerance and the intergenerational transmission of these three dimensions in families with more than 2 generations. In our study we have information on the parental style of three generations (G1, G2 and G3) and on the attachment and frustration tolerance of two generations (G2 and G3).
The objective was to evaluate the intergenerational transmission of different dimensions: parental styles, attachment and frustration tolerance. A total of 148 families participated in this investigation (145 mothers, 119 fathers and 148 school-age children: 6-12 years old). The research protocol consisted of tests on parental styles, attachment and Tolerance to
Frustration. The results suggest that there is a tendency for transmission of all variables, although transmission is stronger between G1 and G2, as shown in current literature. On the other hand, we also see that the current way of educating with more emotional support and less control does not seem to give children security and a feeling of protection. These results give strength to the idea that control is as necessary in education as emotional support and without control there is a risk of having immature, insecure and “tyrant” generations. The present study highlights the importance of the firm and adequate presence of fathers/mothers in education, as well as the existence of educational programs that have a good balance between emotional support and control. In summary, we strongly recommend greater use of the authoritative educational style in educating children.