Roles of Korean mothers' child‐based self‐worth and psychological control in child outcomes

Abstract

ObjectiveWe investigated the implications of Korean mothers' tendency to gain self‐worth from their children's achievements (i.e., child‐based self‐worth) for child outcomes.BackgroundWe tested the role of psychological control in mediating the link between mothers' child‐based self‐worth and child outcomes. The moderating roles of contextual (i.e., school levels) and child characteristics (i.e., perceived maternal sacrifice) in this process were examined.MethodMothers and their children in elementary (n = 162) and in middle and high school (n = 172) were recruited. Mothers reported on their child‐based self‐worth and psychological control, and children reported on their perception of maternal sacrifice and their depression and hyperactivity.ResultsMothers' child‐based self‐worth predicted psychological control, which in turn, related to children's depression and hyperactivity. The link between maternal child‐based self‐worth and psychological control was stronger in the middle and high school sample. Children's perceived sacrifice attenuated the effects of psychological control on child outcomes.ConclusionMiddle and high school (vs. elementary) mothers with high child‐based self‐worth may be more vulnerable to exhibiting controlling parenting. The relationship between maternal child‐based self‐worth and child outcomes may vary by contextual and child characteristics.ImplicationsFindings denote the implications of parenting behaviors derived from parents' self‐concerns in child outcomes, as well as the role of children in parenting processes.