The Effects of Maternal Autonomy Support in Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study

• In Event: Health and Well-Being in Adolescence

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine if adolescents perceived the autonomy support and controlling parenting that their mothers reported to offer and to investigate the effect of autonomy support and controlling parenting on adolescents’ social skills using a longitudinal design. The participants were 166 pairs of mothers and adolescents; the average age of the adolescents was 13.80 years. We found a negative relationship between the mothers’ reported controlling behavior and adolescents’ perception of the mothers’ autonomy support. We also found that perceived autonomy support had a influence on adolescents’ higher pro-social skills, lower withdrawal behavior, and lower aggressive behavior. The results suggested mothers should put more effort into helping their children understand their intention of autonomy support.

Authors

• Ayumi Tanaka, Doshisha University

• Noriaki Fukuzumi, Kochi University of Technology

• Ryo Ishii, Doshisha University

• Shin-ichi Ishikawa, Doshisha University

• Kazuhiro Ohtani, Hokkaido University

• Michiko Sakaki, University of Reading

• Takashi Suzuki, Kochi University of Technology

• Ayame Tamura, Doshisha University

• Kou Murayama, University of Reading