The longitudinal associations between perceived maternal parenting practices, mother–adolescent relationship quality, and friendship quality

Abstract

Introduction As adolescents begin to expand their social networks beyond their family, they turn increasingly to their peers for support. Parenting practices present in the parent–child dyad are likely to extend to peer dyads. However, when considering the process involved in the transmission from parenting practices to friendships, the mediating role of parent–child relationships remains unclear. The current study explored the mediating effect of mother–adolescent relationship quality in the association between perceived maternal parenting practices (i.e., autonomy support and psychological control) and friendship quality using a three‐wave longitudinal design, and also examined whether adolescents' gender moderates these associations. Methods A sample of 344 Chinese adolescents (12.01 to 15‐year‐old at Wave 1, M = 13.08, SD = 0.39; 153 boys and 191 girls) filled out questionnaires on perceived maternal parenting practices, mother–adolescent relationship quality, and friendship quality, separately in three waves. Results Perceived maternal autonomy support was associated with positive friendship quality through positive mother–adolescent relationship quality. However, perceived maternal psychological control was not associated with negative friendship quality. Moreover, marginal gender differences were only found in the associations between autonomy support and positive mother–adolescent relationship quality. Conclusions These findings demonstrate the spillover effects existed only between autonomy support and positive friendship quality, and highlight the importance of positive mother–adolescent relationship quality when promoting positive friendship quality.