Authoritative Parenting Practices Research Articles

Exploring parenting behaviors, stress, and closeness among foster parents

This mixed methods study with a triangulation design aimed to explore the impact of parenting styles and those that most make up parenting care among foster parents today. We assessed how foster parents individually view their management of childcare, perceived levels of support, and education opportunities surrounding foster care parenting practices or level of received preparedness. Furthermore, this study offered insight into if parental styles are associated with parental perceived stress level, and foster parent-foster child closeness. Preexisting secondary data from the Fostering Healthy Relationships study was utilized. This study contained national survey data and focus group transcriptions from licensed foster parents, which were collected during 2018–2019. Our current sample included quantitative data from 457 foster parent participants and qualitative data from 12 participants. Overall, the results indicated most parents who responded to the survey revealed having participated in authoritative parenting practices. Those with authoritative and authoritarian parenting practices had more stress, while authoritative reported more closeness with foster children.

Impact Parenting Style on Academic Achievement, Emotional Intelligence and Self-Esteem among University Students in Southern Punjab

This study examined the impact of different parenting styles—authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive—on students' emotional intelligence, academic achievement, and self-esteem in South Punjab, specifically in Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan. Utilizing a sample of 600 university students, the research employed cross-sectional data collection through questionnaires. The findings revealed that authoritative parenting significantly positively influenced emotional intelligence, academic achievement, and self-esteem, whereas both authoritarian and permissive parenting styles were associated with negative outcomes across these variables. Authoritarian parenting was linked to lower emotional intelligence, academic performance, and self-esteem, while permissive parenting also demonstrated detrimental effects on these aspects, though to a lesser extent. These results underscore the importance of fostering authoritative parenting practices to enhance developmental outcomes in students. The study provides valuable insights for educators, parents, and policymakers to implement strategies that support effective parenting to improve students' holistic development. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and geographic specificity, suggesting a need for further research with longitudinal approaches and diverse populations.

Navigating Generational Patterns: How Childhood Trauma Shapes Authoritative Parenting Practices in Indian Families

Navigating Generational Patterns: How Childhood Trauma Shapes Authoritative Parenting Practices in Indian Families

Interactions between parenting styles, child anxiety, and oppositionality in selective mutism.

Selective mutism (SM) is a poorly understood condition, and debate continues regarding its etiology and classification. Research suggests that a genetic vulnerability may play a role in the development of the disorder which may be compounded by anxious and over-protective parenting. While previous studies supported the role of parenting styles in the development of SM, most of them examined child and parent factors in isolation. The current study examined how the interactions between child internalizing and externalizing behaviors (anxiety and oppositionality, respectively) and parenting styles (authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian) are associated with SM diagnosis. The study included 285 children aged 3-7 years (57.2% females), and their parents (66 children with SM and 219 typically developed children). Parents completed questionnaires about child social anxiety, oppositional behavior, SM severity, and their parenting style. Results showed that parents of children with SM reported lower levels of authoritative practices than those of typically developed children. We also found that child social anxiety and oppositionality moderated the effects of authoritative and authoritarian parenting practices on SM diagnosis. Our results suggest that child anxiety and oppositionality may explain the different susceptibility of children to adaptive and maladaptive parenting styles.

Impact of Parenting Styles on Adolescent Well-Being in China

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of parenting styles on adolescent well-being in China. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: In China, authoritative parenting fosters adolescents' self-esteem and academic achievement, while authoritarian parenting is linked to lower self-esteem and increased anxiety. Permissive parenting correlates with lower academic achievement and greater risk-taking behavior. These findings emphasize the critical role of parenting styles in adolescent well-being, advocating for authoritative practices for positive outcomes. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Attachment theory, social learning theory & ecological systems theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of parenting styles on adolescent well-being in China. Parenting interventions should prioritize promoting authoritative parenting practices, characterized by warmth, support, clear communication, and appropriate levels of control and autonomy. Policymakers should prioritize investing in programs and initiatives that support positive parenting practices and enhance parental support networks.

Parenting beliefs and practices as precursors to academic outcomes in Chinese children.

Due to the rapid sociocultural changes in China, Chinese parents' childrearing beliefs and practices have undergone dramatic transformations. Against this context, this study examined whether Chinese parents' endorsement of progressive and traditional childrearing beliefs would predict children's academic achievement, as well as whether parenting practices would mediate this association. This study utilized a longitudinal design and followed 206 Chinese families for 2 years from the end of preschool to Grade 2. Parents showed greater endorsement of progressive than traditional childrearing beliefs, as well as higher use of authoritative than authoritarian parenting practices. Parents' childrearing beliefs in preschool predicted children's math achievement in Grade 2 via authoritative parenting. However, parenting beliefs were unrelated to authoritarian parenting, and authoritarian parenting did not predict any of the child academic outcomes in Grade 2. The findings suggest Chinese parents' orientations toward progressive parenting beliefs and authoritative parenting practices. They also highlight the utility of parenting beliefs in explaining disparities in early academic achievement. The nonsignificant findings pertinent to authoritarian parenting call for re-examination of the cultural meaning and effects of authoritarian parenting in Chinese society.

Parenting style and the non-cognitive development of high school student: evidence from rural China.

Understanding the relationship between parenting style and the non-cognitive development of high school students is crucial, particularly in rural China. Non-cognitive abilities, including traits such as emotional regulation, resilience, and interpersonal skills, play a significant role in students' overall development and future success. This study aims to investigate how different parenting styles impact non-cognitive abilities among high school students in rural China. This study surveyed 6,549 high school students and their primary caregivers in rural China. The students had an average age of 17.61 years, with 48% being male, and 62% of Han ethnicity. Primary caregivers self-reported their parenting styles, while the students' non-cognitive abilities were assessed using the Big Five Inventory-Short (BFI-S). The relationship between parenting style and non-cognitive development was analyzed using two distinct methods: two dimensions (authoritative and authoritarian) and four categories of parenting styles. The study revealed that an authoritative parenting style had a positive impact on the non-cognitive abilities of students. Conversely, a negative association was observed between the authoritarian parenting style and the students' non-cognitive development. This association was more pronounced in the non-cognitive developmental scores of girls compared to boys. Additionally, parents from wealthier families or those with higher levels of education were more likely to adopt an authoritative parenting style rather than an authoritarian one. The results of this study highlight the significant influence of parenting styles on the non-cognitive development of high school students in rural China. Authoritative parenting, characterized by warmth and structure, appears to foster better non-cognitive outcomes, while authoritarian parenting, marked by strictness and less warmth, is associated with poorer non-cognitive development. The gender differences observed suggest that girls may be more sensitive to variations in parenting style. Furthermore, the socioeconomic and educational background of parents plays a crucial role in determining the parenting style adopted. These findings underscore the importance of developing and implementing parenting training interventions in rural China, aimed at promoting authoritative parenting practices to enhance the non-cognitive development of students.

Longitudinal pathways linking racial discrimination and Chinese American mothers' parenting.

Racial discrimination is a salient and chronic stressor for ethnic minority parents that can negatively impact their parenting. The present study used a short-term longitudinal design to examine the link between Chinese American mothers' stressful experiences of racial discrimination and their authoritarian parenting practices, the mediating role of mothers' depressive symptoms, and the moderating role of their behavioral acculturation toward American and Chinese cultures in these associations (i.e., behavioral participation in the American culture and behavioral maintenance of Chinese culture). Participants were 143 first-generation Chinese American mothers (Mage = 38.0 years) with preschool-age children (Mage = 4.6 years; 50% girls). Mothers reported their racial discrimination stress, depressive symptoms, American and Chinese behavioral acculturation, and authoritarian parenting across two time points over a 6-month interval. A moderated mediation model was conducted using structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized associations. Chinese American mothers' depressive symptoms mediated the association between racial discrimination stress and authoritarian parenting. The path between racial discrimination stress and depressive symptoms and the indirect effect of racial discrimination stress on authoritarian parenting were buffered by mothers' behavioral acculturation toward American culture and exacerbated by their behavioral acculturation toward Chinese culture. This study provides the first longitudinal evidence linking Chinese American mothers' experiences of racial discrimination and their negative parenting over time as well as mediating and moderating factors underlying this process. Our findings highlight the need for systemic efforts addressing racial inequalities and fostering positive development in Asian Americans and other marginalized families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining food parenting practices in military families

Food parenting practices impact child eating and weight outcomes. While there are currently no data examining food parenting practices among military families, research on general parenting has shown that military families are more likely to engage in authoritarian parenting practices. In addition, psychological well-being affects food parenting, and the military lifestyle is defined by how frequently they experience stressful demands such as deployment and relocation. The study objectives were to describe food parenting practices among military families by: (1) comparing food parenting practices between military families and civilian families; and (2) exploring associations between military (total military years, deployments, relocation) and psychological (stress, anxiety, depression) factors and food parenting practices. Participants includes 358 parents (103 military, 255 civilian) of children between the ages of five and 13 years. There were no significant differences in food parenting practices between military and civilian families. However, within military families, both total number of military parent and having more than one military parent were associated with increased structure-based food parenting practices. Having more than one military relocation was associated with more frequent pressure to eat and coercive control. While stress was associated with more frequent restriction, there were no associations between anxiety or depression and food parenting practices. These findings suggest that although food parenting practices of military families are similar to those of their civilian counterparts, there are specific psychological and military life factors that impact food parenting practices in this population.

Parenting Practices and Authenticity in Mothers and Fathers.

We explored the relationship between parenting practices and the experience of subjective authenticity in the parenting role. Based on work showing that authenticity responds to violations of broad social expectations, we predicted that mothers would feel more authentic than fathers. We also predicted, however, that parenting practices that conflicted with broad gender norms would differentially predict authenticity for mothers and fathers. We tested this prediction in a single study of U.S. parents recruited from an internet research panel service (N = 529). Parents completed online measures of authenticity and parenting practices on three separate occasions. We assessed the within-person association between parenting practices and parent-role authenticity. Authoritarian parenting practices negatively predicted parent-role authenticity for mothers, whereas permissive practices negatively predicted parent-role authenticity for fathers. Authoritative practices positively predicted authenticity regardless of parent gender, and, overall, women felt more authentic in the parenting role than men. These findings contribute to emerging theoretical perspectives on authenticity and gender role congruence and highlight how different parenting practices relate to the well-being of mothers and fathers.

Effects of Asian cultural values on parenting style and young children's perceived competence: A cross-sectional study.

Authoritarian parenting has long been associated with Western individualism and improved child development. This study examined the relationship between cultural values, parenting styles, and children's perceived competence in Hong Kong. A total of 48 parents from local Chinese families, 49 parents from South Asian families, and 105 children (24 local Chinese and 81 South Asian) aged 5-6 years participated in the study. Self-report questionnaires on adherence to Asian cultural values and parenting style were administered to parents. The Pictorial Survey on Children's Perceived Competence was administered to children by trained research assistants. The results contradicted two long-standing assumptions on Asian cultural values and parenting styles. First, higher adherence to Asian cultural values increased the likelihood of having an authoritarian parenting style. Second, authoritative parenting practices were more likely be associated with improved social-emotional competence in children. Multiple regression analyzes revealed a strong positive correlation between Asian cultural values and authoritative parenting style (R 2 = 0.597). There was no association between parenting style and the development of competence in young children. However, a positive correlation was found between Asian cultural values and young children's perceived competence. This study showed that components of collectivism and humility in Asian cultural values could have functional values that are essential for developing competencies in South Asian young children but not in local Chinese young children. This study discussed the implications of cultural values sin the terms of contextualization, functional relevance of cultural values for ethnic minorities, and ideal parenting practices.

Associations between Children's Health-Related Characteristics, Self-Esteem, and Fathers' Parenting Practices and Media Addiction among Younger School-Aged Korean Children.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between media addiction levels among early school-aged children and their health status, self-esteem, and their fathers’ parenting practices. Therefore, we analyzed the data from a total of 1149 fathers and children from the 10th year (2017) survey of the Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC), by the Korean Children’s Panel Research Institute. Specifically, a multinomial logistic analysis was conducted to identify the factors affecting children’s media addiction. The media addiction levels were 68.8%, 24.9%, and 6.3%, in general, high-risk, and potential-risk users, respectively. When media addiction levels were used as the reference group for general users, the pattern observed in the data revealed a direct positive association between media use time and the probability of becoming a potential-risk user (79.4%, OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.68). Furthermore, when general users were used as the reference group, the male gender accounted for the majority of high-risk users, at 99% (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.46, 2.71). Within this group, the children’s body mass index (BMI) was high (5%, OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.11), their media use time increased by 1 h a day (145%, OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.93, 3.11), their self-esteem decreased (32%, OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.95), the fathers’ authoritative parenting practices were low (37%, OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.92), and the permissive parenting practices were high (92%, OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.37). Therefore, the results of this study highlight children’s media use time and the risk factors related to high BMIs in order to prevent media addiction among early school-aged children. Our findings also suggest appropriate parenting practices and highlight the need to strengthen children’s self-esteem.

Relationship between Family Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds, Parenting Practices and Styles, and Adolescent Eating Behaviors.

Obesity is more prevalent among racial minority children in the United States, as compared to White children. Parenting practices can impact the development of children’s eating behaviors and habits. In this study, we investigated the relationships among racial/ethnic backgrounds, parenting practices and styles, and eating behaviors in adolescents. Fifty-one parent–adolescent dyads were interviewed to characterize parenting practices and styles, as well as the consumption of dairy, fruits and vegetables, and unhealthy snacks. Height and weight were measured to calculate parent BMI and adolescent BMI-for-age percentiles. Three parenting practice categories—modeling, authoritative, and authoritarian—were found to be related to race/ethnicity. A higher score in authoritarian parenting practices was related to higher BMI percentiles among African American adolescents, whereas a higher score in monitoring practices was related to lower BMI percentiles among non-Hispanic White adolescents. Modeling, reasoning, and monitoring led to higher consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents; however, the consumption of unhealthy snacks was higher with rule-setting and lower with reasoning and authoritative practices. Finally, an analysis of the relationships between environmental factors and snack intake showed that adolescents consumed significantly more unhealthy snacks when performing other activities while eating. In conclusion, the findings from this study suggest that families’ racial heritages are related to their parenting practices, BMI percentiles, and their adolescents’ food consumption and eating behaviors. The results of this study can be used to develop and improve adolescent nutrition education and interventions with consideration of their racial/ethnic backgrounds.

A naturalistic observational study on food interactions and indicators of healthy and unhealthy eating in White-European and Latinx families

This study examined the relationships between self-reported and behavioral authoritative parenting practices and indicators of healthy and unhealthy eating in a sample of 29 families with a child 3–5 years of age (14 Latinx families, 15 White-European families). This study used self-report measures and an innovative audio recording device to track caregiver-child interactions in natural environments. Main findings of this study include that Latinx caregivers compared to White-European caregivers were less warm and less likely to encourage their children to eat, both at the behavioral level and the caregiver-report level. In the case of Latinx caregivers only, behavioral praise and warmth were related to lower consumption of sweets and sweetened beverages. Taken together, the findings of this study offer valuable insights into the nature of authoritative food parenting in naturalistic settings. Findings and implications for culturally relevant interventions are discussed.

Parenting Practices and Adolescents' Eating Behaviors in African American Families.

Parents play an important role in developing the eating behaviors of their children by adopting specific parenting practices. As the prevalence of obesity is high amongst African American adolescents, investigations into associations of specific parenting practices and adolescents’ eating behaviors are essential. In this exploratory study, 14 African American parent–adolescent dyads were interviewed to characterize the influence of eight different parenting practices on the consumption of three main food categories (dairy, fruits and vegetables, and unhealthy snacks). The results revealed that authoritarian parenting practices were correlated with a higher BMI percentile in adolescents, whereas modeling and monitoring are correlated with a higher parent BMI. In addition, reasoning, monitoring, modeling, and authoritative parenting practices were associated with less unhealthy snack consumption among adolescents. Reasoning and monitoring were the only parenting practices associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption. Finally, a significant correlation was found between eating fruits and vegetables and unhealthy snacks and the location of eating. In conclusion, different parenting practices and environmental factors may impact BMI and food consumption of African American dyads. The results of this study can be used to guide improvement in, and/or development of, nutritional education interventions considering the cultural differences of racial minorities.

The Adverse Childhood Experiences of Methamphetamine Users in Aotearoa/New Zealand

Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, the family environment of forty-one former frequent methamphetamine users is analyzed using a ten category measure of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The qualitative analysis reveals almost three-quarters experienced four or more ACEs, especially parental separation, parental substance abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect. Females compared to males, and Māori compared to European/Pākehā, experienced more adversity, while father figures played a disproportionate role in producing participants’ childhood adversity. Physical neglect, physical abuse, parental mental illness, sexual abuse and early age of parental separation were especially detrimental to participants’ healthy development. With approximately five ACEs each on average, this first ever life course-based qualitative study of frequent methamphetamine users in Aotearoa/New Zealand adds further evidence to the body of knowledge that demonstrates frequent substance use is an adaptive counterproductive coping mechanism to adverse childhood experiences. However, six interviewees were exposed to none or one ACE. With ‘good’ and ‘fortunate’ childhoods, and loving and supportive parents, such contrary childhoods underscore the importance of cultivating and practicing prosocial authoritative parenting practices.

Growing up unequal: Objective and subjective economic disparities and authoritarian parenting

BackgroundAlthough there is evidence of economic disparities in parents' financial and time investments in children, little existing empirical work has considered the disparities in authoritarian parenting, a risk for child maltreatment. Similarly, existing research has largely focused on the role of objective markers of socioeconomic status (SES), although perceived subjective social status (SSS) may be equally powerful in shaping disparities in parenting behaviors. DataThis article draws on 30 years of General Social Survey data to examine the association between objective socioeconomic status and subjective social status and parents' endorsement of authoritarian parenting practices. MethodsWe model the association between parents' SES and SSS and approval of authoritarian parenting practices estimated with odds ratios from logistic regressions and examine parental race as a potential moderator. ResultsWe find that SES and SSS are both associated with increased odds of endorsing authoritarian parenting, that SSS-based disparities are independent of SES, and that white parents' parenting may be more influenced by both SES and SSS than Black parents' parenting. ConclusionsThis work provides evidence that SES not only drives gaps in parental investments in children, but also gaps in their endorsement of authoritarian parenting. This is important because authoritarian parenting is not only directly associated with adverse outcomes for children, but is also associated with an increased risk for child maltreatment. It also expands the existing literature by showing that subjective measures of social status are important and distinct from objective measures of SES, and that these associations vary by race.

The Impact of Parenting Patterns in Disciplining Students at Primary School Batanghari Regency

This research examines the impact of parenting patterns on student discipline at SDN 110 Tenam, Batanghari Regency. The significance of this research lies in discussing the importance of the role of parents in shaping student behavior and academic achievement. A mixed methods approach was used, combining surveys to collect quantitative data on parenting styles and disciplinary issues, and interviews to gain qualitative insight into parental attitudes and disciplinary strategies. The results showed a correlation between authoritative parenting and positive student discipline outcomes, while authoritarian and permissive parenting styles were associated with higher levels of student discipline problems. In addition, qualitative analysis revealed differences in parents' perceptions and approaches to disciplining children. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on a specific school context and its integration of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The implications of these findings underscore the importance of encouraging authoritative parenting practices to foster a conducive learning environment and improve student behavior. This research contributes to the broader discourse regarding effective parenting strategies and their impact on student discipline, advocating for collaborative efforts between parents, educators, and policymakers to support holistic student development.

Antecedents to Secondary-Like Psychopathy in Noninstitutionalized Youth

ABSTRACT Secondary-like psychopathy in youth is often recognized in research as being the more problematic of the psychopathy variants. Little is known about the emergence of this variant in spite of early theory describing possible antecedents to the condition. The present research sought to evaluate these possible precursors among those resembling the secondary-like variant of psychopathy in a noninstitutionalized sample of youth. Findings from a probit path model examining data spanning several waves indicated that social context variables (poverty and maternal education), authoritarian parenting practices, and parent–child attachment were implicated in later downstream secondary-like psychopathy in mid-adolescence. Findings, implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Maternal Attribution and Chinese Immigrant Children’s Social Skills: The Mediating Role of Authoritative Parenting Practices

SYNOPSIS Objective . This study explores the contributions of Chinese immigrant mothers’ parenting cognitions and parenting practices to their children’s social skills. Design . We used a cross-sectional design to examine the mediating role of authoritative parenting in associations between Chinese immigrant mothers’ parenting attributions and their children’s social skills. Chinese immigrant mothers (N = 208, M age = 37.36 years) reported their attributions regarding successes and failures in their daily caregiving experiences, authoritative parenting practices, and demographic information. Their preschool children’s (M age = 4.51 years, 46.2% females) social skills in school were rated by their teachers. Results . Maternal attributions of successful events to uncontrollable causes and unsuccessful events to controllable causes were associated with more authoritative parenting. In turn, more authoritative parenting was associated with more competent social skills in children. In contrast, maternal attributions of successful events to controllable causes and unsuccessful events to uncontrollable causes were associated with less authoritative parenting, which in turn was associated with poorer social skills in children. Conclusions . Promoting Chinese immigrant mothers’ attributions that preserve positive efficacy during daily parenting tasks may enhance their engagement in warm, autonomy-promoting and regulatory parenting, which in turn may facilitate their children’s social skills.