Lying to parents and friends: A longitudinal investigation of the relation between lying, relationship quality, and depression in late-childhood and early adolescence

Abstract

Lie-telling has been suggested to increase from childhood through adolescence; however, research on how dishonesty influences other areas of functioning is limited. The goal of this thesis was to examine dishonesty separately in the context of parent-child and friendships in eight- to 14- year-old participants (Time 1). Study 1 assessed longitudinal associations between lying to parents, keeping secrets from parents, parent-child relationship quality, and depression. There was bidirectional negative association between parent-child relationship quality and keeping secrets from parents over time, and depressive symptoms were positively associated with lying to parents over time. Study 2 assessed longitudinal associations between lying to friends, friendship quality, and depression. Lying to friends was not associated with friendship quality, but depressive symptoms were positively associated with lying to friends over time. The findings across these two studies suggest that lying plays an important role in various areas of functioning during childhood and adolescence.