Exploring the autonomous-relatedness model: Parental goals and preschoolers’ prosocial development during cultural shifts

The autonomous-relatedness model posits that companying with the socio-cultural shift from collectivistic to individualistic, parents from traditional collectivistic cultures increasingly emphasize autonomous goals for their children, in addition to traditional relatedness goals. This three-wave study digs deeper into this model by assessing the relative importance of autonomous and relatedness goals, individual differences among parents on endorsing both goals, and the potential bi-directional associations between these goals and preschoolers’ prosocial behaviors. A sample of 336 Chinese parents ( Mean age = 31.73 ± 5.86 years, 172 mothers) with children aged 3–6 years ( Mean age = 4.51 ± 0.95 years) were surveyed in November 2022 (Wave 1), March 2023 (Wave 2), and July 2023 (Wave 3). Parents reported on autonomous and relatedness goals using the Socialization Goals Questionnaire and on their children’s prosocial behaviors using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Data were analyzed based on both variable- and person-centered approaches, and on both group and individual levels. Results showed that parents (1) prioritized autonomous over relatedness goals; (2) could be categorized into two groups, with approximately one-fourth to one-third exhibiting lower endorsement of both goals; and (3) positive, bidirectional associations between parental goals and children’s prosocial behaviors were observed at both group and individual levels. These findings enrich the understanding of the autonomous-relatedness model amid cultural change, emphasizing children’s prosocial development, and highlight the role of children’s active involvement in their socialization.