The role of parenting style for the development of the implicit power motive in children

Abstract

Findings show that both parents’ reported parenting and children’s perception of parenting play a role in predicting a vast number of developmental outcomes. Available research on the development of implicit motives in children, for example, shows a link to early parenting strategies. However, research on effects of parenting on the development of implicit motives is sparse. In the present study, we examined the role of authoritarian and positive parenting (parents’ reports) for the development of the implicit power motive (nPower) in children, along with the moderating role of perceived parental psychological control and warmth/support (children’s report). We hypothesized that authoritarian parenting shows a negative longitudinal association with nPower in children, particularly when children also perceive the parenting as psychologically controlling. In contrast, we assumed a positive longitudinal association of positive parenting with nPower in children, particularly when children also perceive the parenting as warm/supportive. Data of 66 German children (25 girls) and parents were assessed at two measurement points. Children were 6/7 years old at t1. Analyses partially support our hypotheses. The higher parental reports of authoritarian parenting were, the lower was children’s nPower 3.5 years later. This association was only significant among children perceiving high or medium levels (vs. low) of parental psychological control. We found neither significant effects of parents’ nor children’s reports of positive/warm parenting nor a significant interaction of the two. Findings are discussed with respect to existing models of the development and stability of implicit motives and the role of parenting for implicit motive development.