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Coercive Parenting and Adolescent Developmental Outcomes: The Moderating Effects of Empathic Concern and Perception of Social Rejection

Author

Listed:
  • Spencer De Li

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China)

  • Yiwei Xia

    (School of Law, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China)

  • Ruoshan Xiong

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China)

  • Jienan Li

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China)

  • Yiyi Chen

    (Department of Sociology, University of Macau, Macao 999078, China)

Abstract

Previous studies have identified coercive parenting as a prevalent parenting style in Chinese society. They suggested that this style of parenting could promote prosocial behavior and school commitment when combined with close monitoring and proper training, but it could also undermine mental health. This study critically examines these claims. Based on the existing theory and research, it is predicted that the influences of coercive parenting on adolescent development vary according to adolescent personal attributes including empathic concern and perception of social rejection. Through the analysis of two-wave survey data collected from a probability sample of 1085 Chinese adolescents, this study found that adolescents with higher levels of empathic concern and perceived social rejection reported less delinquency and stronger school commitment than their peers with lower levels of such attributes, when coercive parenting was low to moderate. However, under the condition of excessive coercive control, these adolescents demonstrated more delinquency and weaker school commitment. Empathic concern and perception of social rejection, on the other hand, played no or limited role in moderating the relationship between coercive parenting and depression. These results suggest that the influences of coercive parenting are dynamic and are subject to change as they interact with adolescent personal characteristics across different developmental domains.

Suggested Citation

  • Spencer De Li & Yiwei Xia & Ruoshan Xiong & Jienan Li & Yiyi Chen, 2020. "Coercive Parenting and Adolescent Developmental Outcomes: The Moderating Effects of Empathic Concern and Perception of Social Rejection," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3538-:d:359907
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel T. L. Shek & Xiaoqin Zhu, 2019. "Paternal and Maternal Influence on Delinquency among Early Adolescents in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-24, April.
    2. Catherine Anicama & Qing Zhou & Jennifer Ly, 2018. "Parent involvement in school and Chinese American children's academic skills," The Journal of Educational Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 111(5), pages 574-583, September.
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