Configurations of Autonomy and Relatedness in a Multiethnic U.S. Sample of Parent–Adolescent Dyads

Abstract

Configurations of autonomy and relatedness were explored in 232 adolescent–parent dyads. Youth (58% female) were 13–18 years old and ethnically diverse (38% Latino American, 32% European American, 30% African American). Cluster analysis was used to identify three distinct groups based on youth and parent reports of parental autonomy support and family relatedness. The three clusters differed on key demographics (e.g., parent education and income, immigrant background, ethnicity) and theoretically relevant indicators of family and individual functioning (e.g., parent and youth reports of decision making and family obligations; youth‐reported attachment and minor delinquency). Findings provide empirical support for theoretical models of autonomy–relatedness (e.g., Journal of Cross‐Cultural Psychology, 36, 2005, 403) and contribute to understanding of how autonomy and relatedness intersect to influence adolescent and family adaptation.

Children’s Behavioral Agency within Families in the Context of Migration: A Systematic Review

“…In addition to the aspects reviewed and summarized above, some quantitative studies have used scales covering several smaller decisions (various matters) to measure children’s autonomy, independence, decision-making authority, and agency, such as staying out at night, friends, taking classes, dating, watching television, doing homework, doing household chores, going to bed, going back home after school and spending time outside school, spending money, clothes, hair, and makeup (Roche et al, 2015 ; Tran & Raffaelli, 2020 ; Varner & Mandara, 2014 ); or parent–child conflict frequency and intensity and children’s autonomy expectations for various everyday domains, such as chores, schoolwork, curfew, dating, family obligations, and going out (Bámaca-Colbert, Umaña-Taylor, & Gayles, 2012 , 2014 ; Eichelsheim et al, 2010 ; Estrada-Martínez et al, 2011 ; Fung et al, 2017 ; Juang, Syed, & Cookston, 2012 ; Roche et al, 2019 ; Titzmann, Gniewosz, & Michel, 2015 ). One quantitative study compared the independence in decision-making, representing whether adolescents were allowed to make their own decisions and rules about matters in daily life, between different generations of immigrants using a scale (Hamilton, 2010 ).…”

“…22 children interviewed in total 7–14 NA In-depth case studies and in-depth interviews Analysed thematically, using a technique advocated by Boyatzis (1998) Strong quality Stuart et al ( 2010 ) New Zealand International Journal of Intercultural Relations Qualitative A grounded theory approach, an exploratory study Immigrant children and parents 39 Parents and adolescents from Asian, Middle Eastern and African backgrounds: 32 participants (16 pairs) from family units with at least 1 parent and 1 child being interviewed; 5 adolescents and 2 parents took part without other family members 12–18 NA Interviews Content analysis guided by the principles of grounded theory, using NVivo database Strong quality Tanyas ( 2012 ) UK Journal of Youth Studies Qualitative A narrative-based qualitative method Immigrant children and parents 12 Young Turkish migrants 16–21 6, 50.0% Semi-structured interviews Narrative analysis Strong quality Titzmann et al ( 2015 ) Germany Journal of Youth and Adolescence Quantitative Cross-sectional Immigrant children and parents Mother–adolescent dyads: (1) 197 native German dyads and (2) 185 immigrant dyads from the former Soviet Union (1) M = 14.7, SD = 2.5 (2) M = 15.7, SD = 2.7 (1) NA, 53.0% (2) NA, 60.0% Questionnaires Descriptive analysis, intra-class correlation (one-way random), test mean-level differences, multivariate regression, regression analysis, using AMOS 20.0 Strong quality Tran and Raffaelli ( 2020 ...…”

Using Q Methodology to Explore American Adolescents’ Self-Images and Images of Their Parents

“…Today, adolescents have been required to have an autonomous-related self with behavioral autonomy but emotional relatedness with their family. (Tran & Raffaelli, 2019). In this family model, parental control that provides explanation and reasoning is valued by allowing adolescents to develop autonomy because there is no dominant tendency to demand blind obedience (Kag ˘ıtc ¸ıbas ¸ı, 2013).…”

“…When parents in this study allowed their children to develop autonomy but still supported them emotionally and financially, their children developed confidence in themselves and optimistic views toward the world with clearer goals. Tran and Raffaelli (2019) showed the relation between adolescents' awareness of autonomy support and the closeness to their parents. In this study, adolescents who ranked high in feeling they have autonomy to control their own life rather than be swayed by their parents or other forces indicated that they admire their parents' lives and recognize the secure base their parents provide.…”

“…With these changes, it seems that children rely on their parents' support socially and financially, and parents have strong ideas about how much they should be involved in their children's lives (Brighouse & Swift, 2014). Therefore, autonomy and relatedness have become central developmental issues that contribute to family adaptation during adolescence (Tran & Raffaelli, 2019). Parent and adolescent decision making about living arrangements and educational investments is enormously complicated (Twenge et al, 2012), and attaining independence by obtaining a higher degree seems to leave many families overburdened (Furstenberg, 2010).…”