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Perceived parental behavior and the social desirability response set
1Fuller Theological Seminary, Graduate School of Psychology, 91101, Pasadena, CA.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|November 26, 2013
Summary
Social desirability bias can affect self-report measures of parental behavior. This study found significant correlations between social desirability and perceptions of punishing and demanding parental behaviors in female subjects.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Self-report measures are common in psychological research.
- Social desirability response set can introduce bias in self-report data.
- Perceived parental behavior is a key area of study in developmental psychology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the influence of social desirability on self-reported parental behavior.
- To assess the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (M-C SDS) as a confounding variable.
- To investigate correlations between social desirability and the Bronfenbrenner Parental Behavior Scale (BPB) factors.
Main Methods:
- Correlational analysis was used to examine relationships between M-C SDS scores and BPB factors.
- Participants included 58 young adults from diverse backgrounds.
- Data were analyzed based on subject sex, parent sex, and combined groups.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations (p<.05, p<.01) were found between social desirability and punishing/demanding parental behaviors in female subjects.
- No significant correlations were observed for the 'Loving' factor.
- Analysis by sex of subject and sex of parent revealed specific patterns of association.
Conclusions:
- Social desirability may confound self-report measures of perceived parental behavior, particularly for female respondents.
- The validity of the Bronfenbrenner Parental Behavior Scale may be influenced by social desirability bias.
- Future research should consider social desirability when using self-report measures of parental behavior.
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