Parental Socialization and Adjustment Components in Adolescents and Middle-Aged Adults: How are They Related?

Abstract

Classic studies mainly of European-American families broadly identify the benefits of parental strictness combined with parental warmth. However, current research tends to identify parental warmth as positive for adjustment, even without parental strictness. In addition, less is known about the relationship between parenting and adjustment beyond adolescence. The present study examined warmth and strictness and its relationship with self, sexism, and stimulation values. Self-esteem, academic-professional selfconcept, benevolent sexism, and stimulation values were used to capture adjustment. Patients and Methods: Participants (n = 1125) were adolescents and adult children of middle-age from Spain. The statistical analyses used were correlation analysis and multiple linear regression. Results: In general, the relationship between parenting and adjustment was found to have a similar pattern for adolescent and middleaged adult children, although more marked in adolescents. Parental warmth and strictness were predictors of adjustment, but in a different direction. Specifically, parental warmth positively predicted academic-professional self-concept and self-esteem, whereas parental strictness was detrimental as a predictor of higher benevolent sexism. Conclusion: Overall, the present findings suggest that an effective socialization during the socialization years and even beyond can be positively predicted by parental warmth, whereas parental strictness might be unnecessary or even detrimental.

Early Family Experiences, Drug Use, and Psychosocial Adjustment across the Life Span: Is Parental Strictness Always a Protective Factor?

“…Additionally, some recent research from studies mostly conducted in European and Latin American countries indicate that the indulgent parenting is related to equal or even more optimal scores compared to the authoritative parenting, whereas authoritarian and neglectful parenting tend to be related to the lowest optimal scores ( Alcaide et al, 2023 ; Calafat et al, 2014 ; Garcia et al, 2019 ; Martinez et al, 2020 ; Perez-Gramaje et al, 2020 ; Reyes et al, 2023 ). Overall, parental warmth might offer broad benefits ( Lila et al, 2007 ; Martinez-Escudero et al, 2023 ), while parental strictness seems to be unnecessary or even detrimental ( Climent-Galarza et al, 2022 ; Martinez et al, 2019 ). For example, a European study with adolescents conducted in six countries (Sweden, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal) indicated that parenting styles characterized by warmth (i.e., authoritative and indulgent styles) offer more protection against drug use and personal disturbances than parenting based on lack of warmth with strictness (authoritarian style) and without strictness (neglectful style).…”

Parenting style and children emotion management skills among Chinese children aged 3–6: the chain mediation effect of self-control and peer interactions

“…The family plays a pivotal role in a child’s growth, yet other influential environments, including schools ( Chao, 2001 ; Veiga et al, 2021 ) and peer groups ( Maccoby and Martin, 1983 ; Martinez-Escudero et al, 2023 ), also contribute to their development. Both parental involvement theory and bioecological theory indicate that parenting style significantly influences the healthy development of children’s emotion management skills ( Morris et al, 2007 ; Luo et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Building on Baumrind’s foundational theoretical approach, Maccoby and Martin (1983) advanced the classification of parenting styles into four distinct categories: authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and neglectful. Interestingly, parenting styles and their impacts vary across cultures ( Pinquart and Kauser, 2018 ; Martinez-Escudero et al, 2023 ). The cultural backdrop can significantly influence the dynamics between parenting methods and child adjustment ( Pinquart and Kauser, 2018 ; Garcia et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Research by Wu (1996) suggests that Chinese parents frequently resort to reprimands to guide their children’s behavior, particularly in academic realms, reflecting an authoritarian approach ( Kriger and Kroes, 1972 ; Lin and Fu, 1990 ). Interestingly, recent studies from European and South American contexts highlight the potential advantages of high responsiveness combined with low demandingness ( Gimenez-Serrano et al, 2022 ; Martinez-Escudero et al, 2023 ; Villarejo et al, 2023 ). Historically, China has emphasized social harmony and order.…”

Parent-child attachment mediates the association between parental conflict perceptions and suicide intention: a cross-sectional survey among middle school students in China

“…However, parental concern or indifference at this time may be a protective or risk factor for adolescent problems ( 18 , 20 ). Some studies have shown that parental responses to adolescents (affection, involvement, and trust) appear to have positive implications for the development of adolescent psychological autonomy and the prevention of deviant behavior ( 21 , 22 ). A study in the United States showed that parents who are responsive to their children's needs allow their children to bond with them and feel loved by their family ( 23 – 25 ).…”