Perceptions of Being a ‘Good Parent’ of Preschool Children: A Q-study of Hong Kong Parents

Understanding culturally-specific and locally-relevant profiles of positive parenting ensures parenting interventions are designed and matched with parents’ values and needs. This study employed Q-methodology to examine parents’ perceptions of what it means to be a “good parent” for young children in Hong Kong. A purposive sample of 101 parents with children ages 3–5 years (58.4% mothers; mean age = 37.5 years) ranked the importance of 64 statements of parenting goals and styles on a Q-sort continuum. By-person factor analysis uncovered four prevailing views: (1) emotion-focused parenting; (2) survival-focused parenting; (3) outcomes-focused parenting; and (4) traditions-focused parenting. Overall, views of a “good parent” in Hong Kong did not align with traditional notions of Chinese parenting. Findings support Q-methodology as an alternative method to develop positive parenting frameworks across cultures. Little is known about what it means to be a “good parent” from parents’ perspectives Q-methodology was used to uncover four unique views of a “good parent” from 101 Hong Kong parents with young children We found wide consensus on what a “good parent” is not, but views on what is a “good parent” varied substantially Findings highlight the importance of matching parenting interventions with parents’ values and needs