Actor-partner interdependence of socially prescribed parenting perfectionism and parental control in Chinese families.

Abstract

The rise of intense competition for younger generation has intensified social expectations of being a good parent. Based on the data of 386 Chinese intact families with fathers (Mage =48.7), mothers (Mage =44.7), and adolescents (46.9% girls, Mage =14.6) as target respondents, this study examined the patterns of dyadic interdependence in the relationships between socially prescribed parenting perfectionism and parental control (indexed by close monitoring and psychological control) using actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) analyses. Results indicated an actor-only pattern in the association of socially prescribed parenting perfectionism with paternal monitoring, and a couple pattern in the relationship between socially prescribed parenting perfectionism and maternal monitoring. However, the patterns of individual and inter-spousal relationships between socially prescribed parenting perfectionism and psychological control were indistinguishable between fathers and mothers. The findings lend support to the social expectations model and the anxious rearing model by illustrating positive associations of socially prescribed parenting perfectionism with parental monitoring and psychological control. The present study suggests that father-prescribed social expectations about parenting are critical in shaping parental control practice in Chinese contexts, which shed light on the development of Chinese socialization model and clinical practice to support Chinese parents in their parenting.