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Bidirectional relationship between parental psychological control and adolescent maladjustment
Xiaoxia Yu1, Xinyuan Fu2, Zhixu Yang3
1Mental Health Education Center, Students' Affairs Division, North China Electric Power University, China.
Journal of Adolescence
|August 25, 2021
Summary
Paternal psychological control longitudinally predicts adolescent internalizing symptoms and aggression. Parental psychological control and adolescent maladjustment show bidirectional links, especially in Chinese culture.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Background:
- Parental psychological control is a significant factor in adolescent development.
- Understanding cultural nuances in parent-child relationships is crucial for effective interventions.
- Previous research has not fully explored the bidirectional and cultural aspects of parental control and adolescent outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal and bidirectional relationships between paternal/maternal psychological control and adolescent maladjustment.
- To examine internalizing symptoms, aggression, and association with deviant peers as indicators of maladjustment.
- To explore these dynamics within the Chinese cultural context.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study with 543 Chinese adolescents (aged 10-13) was conducted over one year.
- Data were collected at two time points, measuring parental psychological control and adolescent maladjustment.
- Cross-lagged model analysis was employed to examine the relationships.
Main Results:
- Paternal psychological control positively predicted adolescent internalizing symptoms and aggression over time.
- Maternal psychological control did not show significant associations with adolescent maladjustment.
- Adolescent association with deviant peers predicted increased psychological control from both parents.
Conclusions:
- Parental psychological control and adolescent maladjustment are bidirectionally linked, with paternal control playing a key role in the Chinese context.
- Findings support and extend the reciprocal model of parent-child interaction, emphasizing cultural perspectives.
- This study contributes to understanding parental psychological control in non-Western cultural settings.
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