The Role of Parental Achievement Goals in Predicting Autonomy-Supportive and Controlling Parenting

Abstract

Although autonomy-supportive and controlling parenting are linked to numerous positive and negative child outcomes respectively, fewer studies have focused on their determinants. Drawing on achievement goal theory and self-determination theory, we propose that parental achievement goals (i.e., achievement goals that parents have for their children) can be mastery, performance-approach or performance-avoidance oriented and that types of goals predict mothers' tendency to adopt autonomysupportive and controlling behaviors. A total of 67 mothers (aged 30-53 years) reported their goals for their adolescent (aged 13-16 years; 19.4 % girls), while their adolescent evaluated their mothers' behaviors. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that parental performance-approach goals predict more controlling parenting and prevent acknowledgement of feelings, one autonomy-supportive behavior. In addition, mothers who have mastery goals and who endorse performance-avoidance goals are less likely to use guilt-inducing criticisms. These findings were observed while controlling for the effect of maternal anxiety.

Examining the associations of autonomy and directive support given and received with relationship satisfaction in the context of goals that romantic partners have for one another

“…Research by Mageau et al (2016) showed that vicarious goals are common in parent-child relationships. More specifically, they examined achievement goals that parents have for their children.…”

Parental Predictors of Asian Gifted Students’ Achievement Emotions

“…The participants completed a total of 70 items: a 24-item achievement emotions questionnaire [16], an 11-item parental achievement goal questionnaire [11] and a 35-item parent-child relationship questionnaire [14]. The achievement emotions questionnaire consisted of eight subscales that represent students' emotions in the classroom.…”

“…Parental achievement goals are the expectations parents have of their children's development or competence [11]. There are two types: parental mastery goals and parental performance goals [12].…”

Is overparenting harmful to creativity?

“…Nevertheless, the empirical conclusions have been controversial. Many studies on the relationship between upbringing and creativity have suggested that parental control, involvement and overprotection can stifle creative development (Chang, Su, & Chen, ; Hong, Hwang, Kuo, & Hsu, ; Liu et al, ; Mageau, Bureau, Ranger, Allen, & Soenens, ; Miller, Lambert, & Speirs Neumeister, ). However, recent parenting studies have suggested that different parental rearing styles have varying effects on children (Fan & Zhang, ; Liu et al, ).…”

“…Many studies on the relationship between upbringing and creativity have suggested that parental control, involvement and overprotection can stifle creative development (Chang, Su, & Chen, 2015;Hong, Hwang, Kuo, & Hsu, 2015;Liu et al, 2013;Mageau, Bureau, Ranger, Allen, & Soenens, 2016;Miller, Lambert, & Speirs Neumeister, 2012).…”