Multi-informant Model To Explain Children’s Adjustment: Analysis of Differences in Parental Autonomy Support and Control

Abstract This study analyzed the differences between parents’ and children’s perceptions of parenting autonomy support and control, the agreement between parents in the parenting motivation, and their how that influences children’s adjustment. Parental autonomy support and control contribute to defining parenting styles. How parents’ and children’s views of these variables agree and disagree can explain the beginning of children’s maladjustment. The common fate model analyzed the relationship between the levels of agreement in parent’s perceptions of their parenting styles (parent-parent) and the levels of agreement in the children’s perceptions of their parents’ parenting styles (parent-child dyads). 1,613 families with two legal guardians and 1,776 children reported their perceptions of parental autonomy support and psychological control. The discrepancies between parents about parenting motivation were analyzed, along with how these dyads influence children’s development, specifically in prosocial behavior, emotional instability, and aggressive behavior. Findings showed an indistinguishable common fate model with high concordance in parental psychological control in the parent dyad. The parent-child dyads demonstrated differences about parenting motivation, particularly discrepancies about children’s adjustment. The impact of parent-child dyad perceptions on child adjustment varied by gender, particularly in the perception of parenting psychological control and motivation. When girls and their parents perceived parental autonomy support it acted as a protective facto. Meanwhile, where boys and their parents perceived parental control perception, it was a risk factor. These findings should be considered when educators, psychologists, and policymakers develop family programs, such as positive parenting programs or programs for preventing violence between parents and children.