Family climate and parental support

Most information-related Internet searches (e.g., for information) take place at home, which is why parents play a crucial role in supporting their children’s Internet use. Research on parental homework involvement has determined that the ways in which parents support their children are more important than the frequency of support. Due to the crucial role of the quality of parental support in children’s academic achievement and interested in how parents can support their children’s Internet searches in a need-oriented way, the quality of parental support (autonomy, structure, and emotional support) have been derived considering the homework context. In addition, studies on the quantity of parental support have found that family climate (emotional cohesion, adaptability, and open communication) is associated with parental support, but the direction of action is still disputed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine associations between family climate and the quality of parental support for information-related Internet searches across two waves. Paper-and-pencil questionnaires were answered by 524 German children (~11 years) at Wave 1 and by 419 of these children two years later at Wave 2. The results of a cross-lagged panel analysis showed that family climate and the quality of parental support for children’s information-related Internet searches are interdependent, with family climate emerging more strongly as a predictor of parental support. This indicates that the unconscious and less intentional aspects of a family (i.e., family climate) have an impact on the way parents support their children’s information-related Internet searches.