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Internally and Externally Controlling Parenting: Relations with Children’s Symptomatology and Adjustment

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Abstract

Controlling parenting is associated with children’s poorer adjustment and well-being. This study used a Self-Determination Theory framework to distinguish between types of internally (guilt induction and love-withdrawal) and externally (yelling/demanding and punishment/removal of privileges) controlling parenting, and examined whether the types showed differential relations with children’s internalizing and externalizing symptomatology and self-related (self-worth and self-regulation) and relational (attachment) outcomes. One hundred seventeen 5th and 6th grade students (mean age = 11.07; 52% male; 57% European American) completed questionnaires. Results revealed that the four types of controlling parenting could be measured as separate constructs, though they were highly related. All types of controllingness were associated with children’s higher symptoms, less secure attachment, and lower self-worth. Only externally controlling methods related to children’s lower autonomous self-regulation. A person-centered approach with cluster analysis supported that the types of controlling parenting could be meaningfully distinguished. Children in the profiles high in all types of controllingness reported the most symptoms while those low in all types reported the fewest. Beyond this, children in the high external control (punishment/privileges) profile showed lower autonomous self-regulation, less secure attachment, and higher anxiety than those in profiles low in all controllingness. Children in profiles high in all controlling methods showed less secure attachment and higher anxiety and depression than those high in only punishment/privileges. Findings underscore the importance of understanding not only whether parents are controlling, but how they implement control and offer important recommendations for working with parents.

Highlights

  • Controlling parenting can be conceptualized as internally and externally controlling.

  • Two types of internal control (guilt induction, love withdrawal) and two types of external control (yelling/demanding, punishment/removal of privileges) could be meaningfully distinguished.

  • Cluster analysis identified parents low in all controllingness, high in externally controlling only, and two groups high in both types of controllingness.

  • Children of parents high in both types of controllingness showed the highest anxiety and depression and lowest security of attachment.

  • Children of parents high in only externally controlling parenting showed less autonomous self-regulation but also less depression and anxiety than children in the clusters high in all types of controllingness.

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Author Contributions

M.R.L. Collaborated on the design and execution of the study, analyzed the data, and wrote the paper. W.S.G. Collaborated on the design and execution of the study, assisted with data analysis, and contributed to the writing of the paper. A.J.C. Collaborated on the execution of the study and contributed to editing the final manuscript. R.E.L. Collaborated on the execution of the study and contributed to editing the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA

    Madeline R. Levitt, Wendy S. Grolnick, Alessandra J. Caruso & Rachel E. Lerner

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  1. Madeline R. Levitt
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  2. Wendy S. Grolnick
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  3. Alessandra J. Caruso
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  4. Rachel E. Lerner
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Correspondence to Madeline R. Levitt.

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Levitt, M.R., Grolnick, W.S., Caruso, A.J. et al. Internally and Externally Controlling Parenting: Relations with Children’s Symptomatology and Adjustment. J Child Fam Stud 29, 3044–3058 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01797-z

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