Parental behavioural control in adolescence: How does it affect self-esteem and self-criticism?

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Adolescent Psychology
• Family Studies

Background:

• Parental behavioral control is traditionally viewed as beneficial for young children.
• Adolescence necessitates increased independence, potentially conflicting with strict parental rules.
• Parental control may impact adolescent self-beliefs and cognitive development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal effects of parental behavioral control, support, and psychological control on adolescent self-esteem and self-criticism.
• To examine gender differences in the impact of parental control on adolescent self-perceptions.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study tracking 243 Australian adolescents over two years.
• Assessed parental behavioral control, psychological control, and parental support.
• Measured adolescent self-esteem and self-criticism.

Main Results:

• Parental behavioral control did not significantly predict self-esteem in adolescents.
• Behavioral control was associated with increased self-criticism in girls at 12 and 24 months.
• No significant effects were found for parental support or psychological control on self-esteem or self-criticism.

Conclusions:

• Parental behavioral control may not benefit adolescent self-cognitions.
• Excessive rules may signal to girls that they are not capable of independence, potentially reducing their feelings of competence.
• Findings suggest a need to re-evaluate the application of strict behavioral control during adolescence, particularly for girls.