The Moderator Effect of Internal Prosocial Behaviors on the Relationship Between Helicopter Parenting and External Prosocial Behaviors

The rate of helicopter parenting, which is one of the parenting styles, has been increasing in recent years and this style might have negative effects on the individuals' lives. Prosocial behaviors are the actions expected to be displayed in the society and the attitudes of the parents are effective on these behaviors. It is important to determine these effects to contribute to the healthy development of individuals. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the gender differences in helicopter parenting and prosocial behaviors, to reveal the relationships between age and helicopter parenting and prosocial behaviors, and to determine whether internal prosocial behaviors acted as a moderator in the relationship between maternal/paternal helicopter parenting and external prosocial behaviors. Path analysis, which is an advanced statistical model, was used to determine the moderator effect of internal prosocial behaviors. Data were collected from 363 adolescents with a mean age of 16.08 years. Data were obtained with the "Helicopter Parent Attitude/s Scale" and "Adolescent Prosociality Scale". The results showed that adolescents girls exhibited more prosocial behaviors than boys. There was an inverse and significant relationship between age and paternal helicopter parenting. Internal prosocial behaviors acted as a moderator in the relationship between maternal/paternal helicopter parenting and external prosocial behaviors. The findings of the current study suggest that helicopter parenting has an adverse impact on external prosocial behaviors and internal prosocial behaviors may regulate this relationship.