Parent–Child Affection and Helicopter Parenting: Exploring the Concept of Excessive Affection

Abstract

Affection Exchange Theory predicts that affectionate communication above an individual’s threshold for tolerance will be harmful. The current study examined that postulate by assessing the predicted positive relationship between parent–child affectionate communication and both helicopter parenting and excessive affection. Parent–child affection was also predicted to positively relate to psychosocial health, while both other concepts were predicted to negatively relate to psychosocial health. The results generally supported the predictions, though surprisingly parent–child affection was negatively related to excessive affection. Parent–child affection also moderated the relationship between helicopter parenting and relational closeness. Implications and possible directions for future research are discussed.