A theoretical upgrade of the concept of parental psychological control: Proposing new insights on the basis of self-determination theory

Developmental Review

Volumn 30, Issue 1, 2010, Pages 74-99

  Soenens, Bart ^a   Vansteenkiste, Maarten ^a  

^a GHENT UNIVERSITY   (Belgium)

Author keywords

Autonomy support; Behavioral control; Parenting; Psychological control; Self determination theory

Indexed keywords

EID: 77649184034     PISSN: 02732297     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.dr.2009.11.001     Document Type: Article

References (126)

1. Assor A., Roth G., and Deci E.L. The emotional costs of parents' conditional regard: A self-determination theory analysis. Journal of Personality 72 (2004) 47-88
2. Assor A., Vansteenkiste M., and Kaplan A. Identified and introjection approach and introjection avoidance motivations in school and in sport: The limited benefits of self-worth strivings. Journal of Educational Psychology 101 (2009) 482-497
3. Aunola K., and Nurmi J.E. Maternal affection moderates the impact of psychological control on a child's mathematical performance. Developmental Psychology 40 (2004) 965-978
4. Aunola K., and Nurmi J.E. The role of parenting styles in children's problem behavior. Child Development 76 (2005) 1144-1159
5. Bandura A. Aggression: A social learning approach (1973), Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliff, NJ
6. Barber B.K. Parental psychological control: Revisiting a neglected construct. Child Development 67 (1996) 3296-3319
7. Barber B.K., Bean R.L., and Erickson L.D. Expanding the study and understanding of psychological control. In: Barber B.K. (Ed). Intrusive parenting: How psychological control affects children and adolescents (2002), American Psychological Association, Washington, DC 263-289
8. Barber B.K., and Harmon E.L. Violating the self: Parental psychological control of children and adolescents. In: Barber B.K. (Ed). Intrusive parenting: How psychological control affects children and adolescents (2002), APA, Washington, DC 15-52
9. Barber B.K., Olsen J.E., and Shagle S.C. Associations between parental psychological and behavioral control and youth internalized and externalized behaviors. Child Development 65 (1994) 1120-1136
10. Barber B.K., Stolz H.E., and Olsen J.A. Parental support, psychological control, and behavioral control: Assessing relevance across time, method, and culture. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development 70 4, Serial No. 281 (2005)
11. Baumeister R., and Leary M.R. The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin 117 (1995) 497-529
12. Baumrind D. Current patterns of parental authority. Developmental Psychology Monographs 4 (1971) 1-102
13. Baumrind D. Parental disciplinary patterns and social competence in children. Youth and Society 9 (1978) 239-276
14. Bean R.A., Bush K.R., McKenry P.C., and Wilson S.M. The impact of parental support, behavioral control, and psychological control on the academic achievement and self-esteem of African American and European American adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research 18 (2003) 523-541
15. Belsky J. The determinants of parenting: A process model. Child Development 55 (1984) 83-96
16. Blatt S.J. The destructiveness of perfectionism. American Psychologist 50 (1995) 1003-1020
17. Blos P. The adolescent passage (1979), International Universities Press, Madison, CT
18. Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss. Loss, separation and depression (Vol. 3). New York: Basic Books.
19. Brody G.H., Ge X., Conger R.D., Gibbons F.X., McBride Murry V., Gerrard M., et al. The influence of neighbourhood disadvantage, collective socialization, and parenting on African American children's affiliation with deviant peers. Child Development 72 (2001) 1231-1246
20. Caron A., Weiss B., Harris V., and Catron T. Parenting behavior dimensions and child psychopathology: Specificity, task dependency, and interactive relations. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology 35 (2006) 34-45
21. Chirkov V.I., and Ryan R.M. Parent and teacher autonomy-support in Russian and US adolescents: Common effects on well-being and academic motivation. Journal of Cross Cultural Psychology 32 (2001) 618-635
22. Conger K.J., Conger R.D., and Scaramella L.V. Parents, siblings, psychological control, and adolescent adjustment. Journal of Adolescent Research 12 (1997) 113-138
23. Crick N.R., and Grotpeter J.K. Relational aggression, gender, and social-psychological adjustment. Child Development 66 (1995) 710-722
24. de Kemp R.A.T., Scholte R.H.J., Overbeek G., and Engels R.C.M.E. Early adolescent delinquency: The role of parents and best friends. Criminal Justice and Behavior 33 (2006) 488-510
25. Deci E.L., Eghrari H., Patrick B.C., and Leone D.R. Facilitating internalization: The self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Personality 62 (1994) 119-142
26. Deci E.L., and Ryan R.M. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior (1985), Plenum, New York
27. Deci E.L., and Ryan R.M. Human autonomy: The basis for true self-esteem. In: Kernis M.H. (Ed). Efficacy, agency, and self-esteem (1995), Plenum, New York 31-49
28. Deci E.L., and Ryan R.M. The "what" and "why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry 11 (2000) 227-268
29. Dishion T.J., and McMahon R.J. Parental monitoring and the prevention of child and adolescent problem behavior: A conceptual and empirical formulation. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review 1 (1998) 61-75
30. Doyle A.B., and Markiewicz D. Parenting, marital conflict, and adjustment from early-to mid-adolescence: Mediated by adolescent attachment style?. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 34 (2005) 97-110
31. Eaton, M. M., & Pomerantz, E. M. (2003). The role of parents' contingent self-worth in their use of control. In Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the society for research in child development, Tampa, FL (April).
32. Erikson E.H. Identity youth and crisis (1968), Norton, New York
33. Fauber R., Forehand R., McCoombs-Thomas A., and Wierson M. A mediational model of the impact of marital conflict on adolescent adjustment in intact and divorced families: The role of disrupted parenting. Child Development 61 (1990) 1112-1123
34. Flett G.L., Hewitt P.L., Oliver J.M., and MacDonald S. Perfectionism in children and their parents: A developmental analysis. In: Flett G.L., and Hewitt P.L. (Eds). Perfectionism: Theory, research, and treatment (2002), APA, Washington, DC 89-132
35. Galambos N.L., Barker E.T., and Almeida D.M. Parents do matter: Trajectories of change in externalizing and internalizing problems in early adolescence. Child Development 74 (2003) 578-594
36. Garber J., Robinson N.S., and Valentiner D. The relation between parenting and adolescent depression: Self-worth as a mediator. Journal of Adolescent Research 12 (1997) 12-33
37. Gershoff E.T. Corporal punishment by parents and associated child behaviors and experiences: A meta-analytic and theoretical review. Psychological Bulletin 128 (2002) 539-579
38. Gray M.R., and Steinberg L. Unpacking authoritative parenting: Reassessing a multidimensional construct. Journal of Marriage and the Family 61 (1999) 574-587
39. Grolnick W.S. The psychology of parental control: How well-meant parenting backfires (2003), Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ
40. Grolnick W.S., Deci E.L., and Ryan R.M. Internalization within the family: The self-determination theory perspective. In: Grusec J.E., and Kuczynski L. (Eds). Parenting and children's internalization of values: A handbook of contemporary theory (1997), Wiley, London 78-99
41. Grolnick W.S., Gurland S.T., DeCourcey W., and Jacob K. Antecedents and consequences of mothers' autonomy support: An experimental investigation. Developmental Psychology 38 (2002) 143-155
42. Grolnick W.S., and Pomerantz E.M. Issues and challenges in studying parental control: Toward a new conceptualization. Child Development Perspectives. 3 (2009) 165-170
43. Grolnick W.S., and Ryan R.M. Parent styles associated with children's self-regulation and competence in school. Journal of Educational Psychology 81 (1989) 143-154
44. Grusec J.E., and Davidov M. Socialization in the family: The roles of parents. In: Grusec J.E., and Hastings P.D. (Eds). Handbook of socialization theory and research (2007), Guilford, New York 284-308
45. Grusec J.E., and Goodnow J.J. Impact of parental discipline methods on the child's internalization of values: A reconceptualization of current points of view. Developmental Psychology 30 (1994) 4-19
46. Hart C.H., Nelson D.A., Robinson C.C., Olsen S.F., and McNeilly-Choque K. Overt and relational aggression in Russian nursery-school-age children: Parenting style and marital linkages. Developmental Psychology 34 (1998) 687-697
47. Herman M.R., Dornbusch S.M., Herron M.C., and Herting J.R. The influence of family regulation, connection, and psychological autonomy on six measures of adolescent functioning. Journal of Adolescent Research 12 (1997) 34-67
48. Heyman G.D., Dweck C.S., and Cain K.M. Young children's vulnerability to self-blame and helplessness: Relationship to beliefs about goodness. Child Development 63 (1992) 401-415
49. Ho D.Y.F. Chinese pattern of socialization: A critical review. In: Bond M.H. (Ed). The psychology of the Chinese people (1986), Oxford University Press, New York 1-37
50. Hock E., Eberly M., Bartle-Haring S., Ellwanger P., and Widaman K. Separation anxiety in parents of adolescents: Theoretical significance and scale development. Child Development 72 (2001) 284-298
51. Hoffman M.L. Moral development. In: Mussen P.H. (Ed). Carmichael's manual of child psychology Vol. 2 (1970), Wiley, New York 216-360
52. Jang, H., Reeve, J., & Deci, E. L. (in press). Engaging students in learning activities: It's not autonomy support or structure, but autonomy support and structure. Journal of Educational Psychology.
53. Joussemet M., Landry R., and Koestner R. A self-determination theory perspective on parenting. Canadian Psychology 49 (2008) 194-200
54. Joussemet M., Vitaro F., Barker E.D., Coté S., Nagin D., Zoccolillo M., et al. Controlling parenting and physical aggression during elementary school. Child Development 79 (2008) 411-425
55. Kamins M.L., and Dweck C.S. Person versus process praise and criticism: Implications for contingent self-worth and coping. Developmental Psychology 35 (1999) 835-847
56. Karavasillis L., Doyle A.B., and Markiewicz D. Associations between parenting style and attachment to mother in middle childhood and adolescence. International Journal of Behavioral Development 27 (2003) 153-164
57. Kearney C.A., Sims K.E., Pursell C.R., and Tillotson C.A. Separation anxiety disorder in young children: A longitudinal and family analysis. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology 32 (2003) 593-598
58. Kernis M.H., Brown A.C., and Brody G.H. Fragile self-esteem in children and its associations with perceived patterns of parent-child communication. Journal of Personality 68 (2000) 225-252
59. Kochanska G., and Aksan N. Children's conscience and self-regulation. Journal of Personality 74 (2006) 1587-1617
60. Kochanska G., Gross J.N., Lin M.H., and Nichols K.E. Guilt in young children: Development, determinants, and relations with a broader system of standards. Child Development 73 (2002) 461-482
61. Koestner R., Ryan R.M., Bernieri F., and Holt K. Setting limits on children's behavior: The differential effects of controlling versus informational styles on children's intrinsic motivation and creativity. Journal of Personality 54 (1984) 233-248
62. Krishnakumar A., Buehler C., and Barber B.K. Youth perceptions of interparental conflict, ineffective parenting, and youth problem behaviors in European-American and African-American families. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 20 (2003) 239-260
63. Krishnakumar A., Buehler C., and Barber B.K. Cross-ethnic equivalence of socialization measures in European American and African American youth. Journal of Marriage and Family 66 (2004) 809-820
64. Loukas A., Paulos S.K., and Robinson S. Early adolescent social and overt aggression: Examining the roles of social anxiety and maternal psychological control. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 34 (2005) 335-345
65. Luyckx K., Soenens B., Vansteenkiste M., Berzonsky M.D., and Goossens L. Parental psychological control and dimensions of identity formation in emerging adulthood. Journal of Family Psychology 21 (2007) 546-550
66. Maccoby E.E., and Martin J.A. Socialization in the context of the family: Parent-child interaction. In: Het herington M.E. (Ed). In: Mussen P.H. (Ed). Handbook of child psychology, socialization, personality, and social developments Vol. 4 (1983), Wiley, New York 1-101
67. Mahler M.S., Pine F., and Bergman A. The psychological birth of the human infant (1975), Basic Books, New York
68. Markus H.R., and Kitayama S. Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review 98 (1991) 224-253
69. Mills R.S.L. Taking stock of the developmental literature on shame. Developmental Review 25 (2005) 26-63
70. Mills R.S.L., Freeman W.S., Clara I.P., Elgar F.J., Walling B.R., and Mak L. Parent proneness to shame and the use of psychological control. Journal of Child and Family Studies 16 (2007) 359-374
71. Morris A.S., Silk J.S., Steinberg L., Sessa F.M., Avenevoli S., and Essex M.J. Temperamental vulnerability and negative parenting as interacting predictors of child adjustment. Journal of Marriage and Family 64 (2002) 461-471
72. Nelson D.A., and Crick N.R. Parental psychological control: Implications for childhood physical and relational aggression. In: Barber B.K. (Ed). Intrusive parenting: How psychological control affects children and adolescents (2002), APA, Washington, DC 168-189
73. Nelson D.A., Hart C.H., Yang C., Olsen J.A., and Jin S. Aversive parenting in China: Associations with child physical and relational aggression. Child Development 77 (2006) 554-572
74. Niemiec C.P., Lynch M.F., Vansteenkiste M., Bernstein J., Deci E.L., and Ryan R.M. The antecedents and consequences of autonomous self-regulation for college: A self-determination theory perspective on socialization. Journal of Adolescence 29 (2006) 761-775
75. Olsen S.F., Yang C., Hart C.H., Robinson C.C., Wu P., Nelson D.A., et al. Maternal psychological control and preschool children's behavioral outcomes in China, Russia, and the United States. In: Barber B.K. (Ed). Intrusive parenting: How psychological control affects children and adolescents (2002), American Psychological Association, Washington, DC 235-262
76. Olson S.L., Ceballo R., and Park C. Early problem behaviour among children from low-income, mother-headed families: A multiple risk perspective. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology 31 (2002) 419-430
77. Pettit G.S., Laird R.D., Dodge K.A., Bates J.E., and Criss M.M. Antecedents and behavior-problem outcomes of parental monitoring and psychological control in early adolescence. Child Development 72 (2001) 583-598
78. Plant R.W., and Ryan R.M. Intrinsic motivation and the effects of self-consciousness, self-awareness, and ego-involvement: An investigation of internally-controlling styles. Journal of Personality 53 (1985) 435-449
79. Pomerantz E.M., and Eaton M.M. Developmental differences in children's conceptions of parental control: "They love me, but they make me feel incompetent". Merrill-Palmer Quarterly 46 (2000) 140-167
80. Pomerantz E.M., and Eaton M.M. Maternal intrusive support in the academic context: Transactional socialization processes. Developmental Psychology 37 (2001) 174-186
81. Reeve J. Self-determination theory applied to educational settings. In: Deci E.L., and Ryan R.M. (Eds). Handbook of self-determination research (2002), University of Rochester Press, Rochester, NY 183-203
82. Rogers K.N., Buchanan C.M., and Winchell M.E. Psychological control during early adolescence: Links to adjustment in differing parent/adolescent dyads. Journal of Early Adolescence 23 (2003) 349-383
83. Roth G., Assor A., Niemiec C.P., Ryan R.M., and Deci E.L. The emotional and academic consequences of parental conditional regard: Comparing conditional positive regard, conditional negative regard, and autonomy support as parenting practices. Developmental Psychology 45 (2009) 1119-1142
84. Rubin K.H., Burgess K.B., and Hastings P.D. Stability and social-behavioral consequences of toddlers' inhibited temperament and parenting behaviours. Child Development 73 (2002) 483-495
85. Rudy D., Awong T., and Lambert M. Parental psychological control and authoritarianism in Chinese-Canadian and European-Canadian cultural groups: Their meanings and implications for university students' adjustment. Journal of Comparative Family Studies 39 (2008) 471-490
86. Ryan R.M. Control and information in the intrapersonal sphere: An extension of cognitive evaluation theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 43 (1982) 450-461
87. Ryan R.M. Agency and organization: Intrinsic motivation, autonomy and the self in psychological development. In: Jacobs J. (Ed). Nebraska symposium on motivation. Developmental perspectives on motivation Vol. 40 (1993), University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln 1-56
88. Ryan R.M. Psychological needs and the facilitation of integrative processes. Journal of Personality 63 (1995) 397-427
89. Ryan R.M., and Connell J.P. Perceived locus of causality and internalization: Examining reasons for acting in two domains. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 57 (1989) 749-761
90. Ryan R.M., Deci E.L., Grolnick W.S., and La Guardia J.G. The significance of autonomy and autonomy support in psychological development and psychopathology. In: Cicchetti D., and Cohen D. (Eds). Developmental psychopathology. 2nd ed. Theory and methods Vol. 1 (2006), Wiley, New York 795-849
91. Scaramella L.V., Neppl T.K., Ontai L.L., and Conger R.D. Consequences of socioeconomic disadvantage across three generations: Parenting behavior and child externalizing problems. Journal of Family Psychology 22 (2008) 725-733
92. Schaefer E.S. A configurational analysis of children's reports of parent behavior. Journal of Consulting Psychology 29 (1965) 552-557
93. Schaefer E.S. Children's reports of parental behavior: An inventory. Child Development 36 (1965) 413-424
94. Shafer R. Aspects of internalization (1968), International Universities Press, New York
95. Shahar G., Blatt S.J., Henrich C.C., Ryan R.M., and Little T.D. Interpersonal relatedness, self-definition, and their motivational orientation during adolescence: A theoretical and empirical integration. Developmental Psychology 39 (2003) 470-483
96. Shek D.T.L. A longitudinal study of perceived parental psychological control and psychological well-being in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. Journal of Clinical Psychology 63 (2007) 1-22
97. Sheldon K.M., Elliot A.J., Kim Y., and Kasser T. What is satisfying about satisfying needs? Testing 10 candidate psychological needs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 80 (2001) 325-339
98. Sierens E., Vansteenkiste M., Goossens L., Soenens B., and Dochy F. The interactive effect of perceived teacher autonomy-support and structure in the prediction of self-regulated learning. British Journal of Educational Psychology 79 (2009) 57-68
99. Silk J.S., Morris A.S., Kanaya T., and Steinberg L. Psychological control and autonomy granting: Opposite ends of a continuum or distinct constructs?. Journal of Research on Adolescence 13 (2003) 113-128
100. Simons R.L., Whitbeck L.B., Conger R.D., and Wu C.I. Intergenerational transmission of harsh parenting. Developmental Psychology 27 (1991) 159-171
101. Skinner E., Johnson S., and Snyder T. Six dimensions of parenting: A motivational model. Parenting: Science and Practice 5 (2005) 175-235
102. Smetana J.G., and Daddis C. Domain-specific antecedents of parental psychological control and monitoring: The role of parenting beliefs and practices. Child Development 73 (2002) 563-580
103. Soenens B., Elliot A.J., Goossens L., Vansteenkiste M., Luyten P., and Duriez B. The intergenerational transmission of perfectionism: Parents' psychological control as an intervening variable. Journal of Family Psychology 19 (2005) 358-366
104. Soenens B., Luyckx K., Vansteenkiste M., Duriez B., and Goossens L. Clarifying the link between perceived parental psychological control and adolescents' depressive feelings: Reciprocal versus unidirectional models of influence. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly 54 (2008) 411-444
105. Soenens B., Vansteenkiste M., Duriez B., and Goossens L. In search of the sources of psychologically controlling parenting: The role of parental separation anxiety and parental maladaptive perfectionism. Journal of Research on Adolescence 16 (2006) 539-559
106. Soenens B., Vansteenkiste M., Lens W., Luyckx K., Goossens L., Beyers W., et al. Conceptualizing parental autonomy support: Adolescent perceptions of promotion of independence versus promotion of volitional functioning. Developmental Psychology 43 (2007) 633-646
107. Soenens, B., Vansteenkiste, M., & Luyten, P. (in press). Towards a domain-specific approach to the study of parental psychological control: Distinguishing between dependency-oriented and achievement-oriented psychological control. Journal of Personality.
108. Soenens B., Vansteenkiste M., Luyten P., Duriez B., and Goossens L. Maladaptive perfectionistic self-representations: The mediational link between psychological control and adjustment. Personality and Individual Differences 38 (2005) 487-498
109. Soenens B., Vansteenkiste M., and Niemiec C.P. Should parental prohibition of adolescents' peer relationships be prohibited? The role of parental autonomy-support and control. Personal Relationships 16 (2009) 507-530
110. Soenens B., Vansteenkiste M., and Sierens E. How are parental psychological control and autonomy-support related? Naturally occurring profiles of psychological control and two types of autonomy-support. Journal of Marriage and Family 71 (2009) 187-202
111. Soucy N., and Larose S. Attachment and control in family and mentoring contexts as determinants of adolescent adjustment to college. Journal of Family Psychology 14 (2000) 125-143
112. Soucy N., and Larose S. Attachment, parental control and behaviors of adolescents in the counseling relationship. Canadian Psychology 45 (2004) 83-102
113. Stattin H., and Kerr M. Parental monitoring: A reinterpretation. Child Development 71 (2000) 1072-1085
114. Steinberg L. Autonomy, conflict, and harmony in the family relationship. In: Feldman S.S., and Elliot G.R. (Eds). At the threshold: The developing adolescent (1990), Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA 255-276
115. Steinberg L. Psychological control: Style or substance?. Changing boundaries of parental authority during adolescence. In: Damon W., and Smetana J. (Eds). New directions for child and adolescent development Vol. 108 (2005), Wiley, New York 71-78
116. Steinberg L., and Silverberg S.B. The vicissitudes of autonomy in early adolescence. Child Development 57 (1986) 841-851
117. Tangney J.P., Wagner P.E., HillBarlow D., Marschall D.E., and Gramzow R. Relation of shame and guilt to constructive versus destructive responses to anger across the lifespan. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 70 (1996) 797-809
118. Vansteenkiste, M., Niemiec, C. P., & Soenens, B. (in press). The development of the five mini-theories of self-determination theory: An historical overview, emerging trends, and future directions. In T. Urdan & S. Karabenick (Eds.), Advances in motivation and achievement: The Decade Ahead (Vol. 16). UK: Emerald Publishing.
119. Vansteenkiste M., Ryan R.M., and Deci E.L. Self-determination theory and the explanatory role of psychological needs in human well-being. In: Bruni L., Comim F., and Pugno M. (Eds). Capabilities and happiness (2008), Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK 187-223
120. Vansteenkiste M., Simons J., Lens W., Sheldon K.A., and Deci E.L. Motivating learning, performance, and persistence: The synergistic effects of intrinsic goal contents and autonomy-supportive contexts. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 87 (2004) 246-260
121. Vansteenkiste M., Simons J., Lens W., Soenens B., and Matos L. Examining the motivational impact of intrinsic versus extrinsic goal framing and internally controlling versus autonomy-supportive communication style upon early adolescents' academic achievement. Child Development 76 (2005) 483-501
122. Vansteenkiste M., Zhou M., Lens W., and Soenens B. Experiences of autonomy and control among Chinese learners: Vitalizing or immobilizing?. Journal of Educational Psychology 97 (2005) 468-483
123. Verschueren K., Dossche D., Marcoen A., Bakermans-Kranenburg M., and Mahieu S. Attachment representations and discipline in mothers of young school children: An observation study. Social Development 15 (2006) 659-675
124. Wang Q., Pomerantz E.M., and Chen H.C. The role of parents' control in early adolescents' psychological functioning: A longitudinal investigation in the United States and China. Child Development 78 (2007) 1592-1610
125. White R.W. Motivation reconsidered: The concept of competence. Psychological Review 66 (1959) 297-333
126. Wu P., Robinson C.C., Yang C., Hart C.H., Olsen S.F., Porter C.L., et al. Similarities and differences in mothers' parenting of preschoolers in China and the United States. International Journal of Behavioral Development 26 (2002) 481-491