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. 2021 Jun 16;8(6):508.
doi: 10.3390/children8060508.

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

Na Hu  1 , Muzi Yuan  1 , Junsheng Liu  1 , Robert J Coplan  2 , Ying Zhou  3
Affiliations

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

Na Hu et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

The present study examined the longitudinal relations between child perceptions of parental autonomy-support and peer preference in mainland China. Participants were N = 758 children (50.8% boys; Mage = 10.78 years, SD = 1.03 at Wave 1; Mage = 11.72 years, SD = 1.11 at Wave 2; Mage = 12.65 years, SD = 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.

Keywords: Chinese children; parental autonomy-support; peer preference.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cross-lagged model of maternal and paternal autonomy-support and peer preference. Note: Values represent standardized coefficients. Dashed lines represent non-significant paths. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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