In the longitudinal study, data were collected during early adulthood in 1992 and in 1996-1997 using a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression and multiple regression analyses were employed to assess the extent to which participant personality attributes, substance use, and relationships with their mothers predicted the quality of the parent-child bond. Participants with certain personality attributes such as high sensitivity, less frequent marijuana use, or a close relationship with their mothers were more likely to have a close parent-child bond with their own children at a later time. The risk of earlier substance use on the parent-child relationship was offset by protective factors in parental personality domains. Protective factors in the various parental domains synergistically interacted with a low frequency of marijuana use, relating to a close parent-child attachment relationship. The authors conclude that certain parenting styles are transmitted across generations, and that interventions in both personality and drug use domains can increase the likelihood that parents form close attachment relationships with their children. 42 references, 3 tables, and 1 figure