Adolescent Social Competence and Parental Satisfaction

Abstract

This study investigated the relation of parents'perceptions of adolescent social competence to mothers' and to fathers'parental satisfaction. Using a symbolic interactionist approach, it was hypothesized that dimensions of perceived adolescent competence in role relationships with mothers andfathers would be predictors ofparental satisfaction. A total of 385 mothers and 343 fathers responded to self-report questionnaires. Results of the fathers' hierarchical multiple regression model indicated that the number of children, and adolescent coercive power, were related negatively; whereas father's occupational level, adolescent conformity, adolescent legitimate power, and adolescent reward power showed significant positive relations with parental satisfaction. Fathers also reported greater satisfaction with sons than with daughters. In the mothers' hierarchical multiple regression model, a significant negative relation was found between the number of children and parental satisfaction, whereas significant positive relations were found between adolescent expert power, adolescent legitimate power, adolescent reward power, and parental satisfaction.