Examining Reciprocal Links between Parental Autonomy-Support and Children’s Peer Preference in Mainland China

oleh: Na Hu, Muzi Yuan, Junsheng Liu, Robert J. Coplan, Ying Zhou

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-06-01

Deskripsi

The present study examined the longitudinal relations between child perceptions of parental autonomy-support and peer preference in mainland China. Participants were <i>N</i> = 758 children (50.8% boys; <i>M<sub>age</sub></i> = 10.78 years, <i>SD</i> = 1.03 at Wave 1; <i>M<sub>age</sub></i> = 11.72 years, <i>SD</i> = 1.11 at Wave 2; <i>M<sub>age</sub></i> = 12.65 years, <i>SD</i> = 0.95 at Wave 3) from elementary and middle schools in Shanghai, P.R. China. Children were followed over three years from Grades 4–6 to Grades 6–8. Each year, children reported their perceived maternal/paternal autonomy-support and peer preference (being well-liked among peers) was measured via peer nominations. Among the results, peer preference positively predicted later perceptions of maternal and paternal autonomy-supportive parenting, whereas autonomy-supportive parenting did not significantly predict later peer preference. Results are discussed in terms of the interactions between parental autonomy-supportive parenting and children’s peer relationships in Chinese culture.