Adolescent–parent attachment as a mediator of relations between parenting and adolescent social behavior and wellbeing in China |
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| Authors: | Mengfei Cai Sam A. Hardy Joseph A. Olsen David A. Nelson Niwako Yamawaki |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychology, West Virginia Wesleyan College, , Buckhannon, WV, USA;2. Department of Psychology, Brigham Young University, , Provo, UT, USA;3. College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences, Brigham Young University, , Provo, UT, USA;4. School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, , Provo, UT, USA |
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to examine links between parenting dimensions (authoritative parenting, psychological control, and parental authority) and adolescent wellbeing (self‐esteem, autonomy, and peer attachments) as mediated by parent–teen attachment, among Chinese families. The sample included 298 Chinese adolescents, ages 15–18 years (M age = 16.36, SD = .68; 60% female). The mediation model was examined using path analyses (one model with parental authority as overprotection, and one with it as perceived behavioral control). To improve model fit a direct path was added from authoritative parenting to autonomy. Authoritative parenting was positively predictive of attachment, while psychological control and overprotection (but not behavioral control) were negative predictors. In turn, adolescent–parent attachment was positively related to the three outcomes. Lastly, the model paths did not differ by adolescent gender. These findings suggest that parenting behaviors may play a crucial role in adolescent social behaviors and wellbeing via adolescent–parent attachment. |
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| Keywords: | Autonomy Attachment Self‐esteem Parenting Chinese |
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