Crazy Rotating: The Linear or Curvilinear Relationship of Parental Overparenting and Adolescent Internalizing Problems in China

Background: Parental overparenting is highly prevalent in current Chinese families, and its psychological influences on adolescent mental health are of great academic and practical concern. However, limited research has examined the potential curvilinear relationship between different dimensions of parental overparenting and adolescent internalizing problems, as well as the moderating roles of adolescent gender and age in these relationships. The purpose of this study was to examine the unique and potentially curvilinear effects of different dimensions of parental overparenting on adolescent internalizing problems in the context of contemporary Chinese families. Methods: Data were collected from 285 adolescents (147 male, Meanage = 11.93) and their families across five cities in China at an initial assessment (Wave 1) and at a follow-up one year later (Wave 2). Hierarchical regression analyses were performed with SPSS 25.0 to examine the associations among the main variables. Results: The findings indicated that different dimensions of parental overparenting were differentially associated with adolescents’ internalizing problems. Specifically, frequent comparisons of children’s achievements with peers positively and linearly predicted adolescents’ internalizing problems at Wave 2 (β = 0.27, p < 0.05). In addition, excessive affective involvement showed a U-shaped association with boys’ internalizing problems (b = 0.21, p < 0.01), whereas excessive care exhibited a U-shaped association with adolescents’ internalizing problems at Wave 2 (b = 0.19, p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that different dimensions of overparenting impact adolescent development in various ways, highlighting the need for providing appropriate support and guidance without excessive control in family parenting practices.