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Behavioral Sciences
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Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents
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Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Developmental Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 27413

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaochun Xie

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Guest Editor
School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
Interests: parenting, children and adolescent social development; cyberpsychology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fengqing Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Interests: parenting; children and adolescent mental health; positive psychology; interventions based on Satir family therapy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well known that family and parenting are very important for children and adolescent development. Supportive parenting provides a warm paradise for children's development, while harsh parenting will lead to numerous disadvantageous consequences. In addition to traditional parenting activities, some emerging parenting activities (e.g., helicopter parenting) and parenting activities with media usage (e.g., parental phubbing) also attract much attention. Hence, this Special Issue titled “Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents” aims to gather high-quality research to address how parenting influences positive development for children and adolescents (age range: 3–18 years). In addition, studies that focus on the interactions of family and some significant micro-system elements (e.g., peer, friend, school, and teacher) and studies that show an interest in child-driven effects (how children’s activities influence parenting activities) are also welcome. In this Special Issue, positive development is a general term that includes (but is not limited to) mental health, physical health, and positive performance on cognitive development, personality, school education, social relationships, and characteristic advantages. The chosen methodology should encompass various approaches, including but not limited to cross-sectional design with a substantial sample size or parent-child dyadic data. Additionally, including longitudinal investigation and experimentation, as well as the classical quantitative approach, is recommended. Furthermore, integrating high-quality qualitative research methods such as interviews and interventions is highly encouraged. Research endeavors that adopt a comprehensive perspective and employ a variety of methodologies will be given primary consideration. We hope this Special Issue will provide significant theoretical contributions and useful practical strategies.

Dr. Xiaochun Xie
Dr. Fengqing Zhao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • parenting
  • children
  • adolescents
  • family
  • positive development
  • media
  • internet

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 300 KiB  
Article
Relationship Between Parenting Styles and Personality in Older Spanish Adolescents
by Celia Cuadri, Joan García-Perales, Isabel Martínez and Feliciano Henriques Veiga
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030339 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 697
Abstract
Adolescence is a critical period for identity formation and psychological adjustment, where parenting styles play a fundamental role in shaping socialization and emotional development. The present study analyzed the relationships of parenting styles with the Big Five personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional [...] Read more.
Adolescence is a critical period for identity formation and psychological adjustment, where parenting styles play a fundamental role in shaping socialization and emotional development. The present study analyzed the relationships of parenting styles with the Big Five personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and intellect), self-esteem, and life satisfaction in older Spanish adolescents. A sample of 366 Spanish university students (69.1% girls and 30.9% boys) aged 18 and 19 years completed measures assessing parenting styles, personality traits, self-esteem, and life satisfaction. Data analysis involved a multivariate approach, considering the four parenting styles as independent variables. The results of the MANOVA test indicate that adolescents raised with indulgent and authoritative parenting exhibit significantly higher levels of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, self-esteem, and life satisfaction compared to those raised with neglectful or authoritarian parenting. These findings highlight the influence of parenting styles not only on adolescent well-being, but also on personality development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
13 pages, 582 KiB  
Article
Father Phubbing and Adolescents’ Depressive Symptoms: The Roles of Relationship Satisfaction and Need to Belong
by Jilong Wang, Pengcheng Wang, Yongjie Yue, Lipeng Yin, Wei Wang, Guohua Zhang and Yulong Yin
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020139 - 27 Jan 2025
Viewed by 791
Abstract
Recent research indicates that parental phubbing is a risk factor for adolescents’ depressive symptoms; however, limited research has examined the association between father phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. The present study tested the association between father phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the [...] Read more.
Recent research indicates that parental phubbing is a risk factor for adolescents’ depressive symptoms; however, limited research has examined the association between father phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. The present study tested the association between father phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the mediating and moderating effects underlying this link were examined. A total of 1319 participants (39.5% were boys, mean age = 16.15 years) completed measures regarding father phubbing, father–child relationship satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and the need to belong. By using a two-wave longitudinal design, the results showed that father–child relationship satisfaction mediated the association between father phubbing and adolescents’ depressive symptoms, and the need to belong exacerbated the association between father phubbing and father–child relationship satisfaction. Limitations and implications of this study were elaborated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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15 pages, 595 KiB  
Article
Can Friendship Quality Buffer the Impact of Parental Phubbing on Adolescents’ Gratitude? The Longitudinal Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs’ Satisfaction
by Bowen Lu, Xinyuan Shen, Xiaosong Gai and Xiaochun Xie
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1083; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111083 - 12 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1097
Abstract
This study aims to explore the longitudinal relationship between parental phubbing and adolescents’ gratitude, as well as the mediating role of basic psychological needs’ satisfaction and the moderating role of friendship quality. We conducted this longitudinal study in two waves with a 7-month, [...] Read more.
This study aims to explore the longitudinal relationship between parental phubbing and adolescents’ gratitude, as well as the mediating role of basic psychological needs’ satisfaction and the moderating role of friendship quality. We conducted this longitudinal study in two waves with a 7-month, and surveyed 643 Chinese adolescents and constructed a moderated mediation model. The results indicated the following: First, there is a significant negative correlation between parental phubbing and adolescents’ gratitude. Second, adolescents’ basic psychological needs’ satisfaction mediates the relationship between parental phubbing and gratitude. Finally, friendship quality moderates the negative relationship between parental phubbing and adolescents’ basic psychological needs’ satisfaction and the mediating effect of basic psychological needs’ satisfaction. Specifically, compared to adolescents with lower friendship quality, the negative effect of parental phubbing on basic psychological needs’ satisfaction is stronger among adolescents with higher friendship quality, and the negative indirect effect of parental phubbing on gratitude through basic psychological needs’ satisfaction is also stronger in these adolescents. The findings suggest that parental phubbing is a significant risk factor for decreased adolescents’ gratitude, with high friendship quality adolescents being more susceptible to the impact of parental phubbing. The negative impact of parental phubbing outweighs the influence of friendship quality. This study provides insights into interventions promoting adolescents’ positive development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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19 pages, 497 KiB  
Article
Learning Family: Concept, Measurement and the Effect on Individuals’ Behaviors
by Ming Kong and Yahua Lu
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 1061; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111061 - 7 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1816
Abstract
A learning society cannot be built without each family playing its role. The learning family integrates the modern education concept and the actual needs of family education. However, scholars are still exploring the concept, structure, and measuring tools of the learning family. Based [...] Read more.
A learning society cannot be built without each family playing its role. The learning family integrates the modern education concept and the actual needs of family education. However, scholars are still exploring the concept, structure, and measuring tools of the learning family. Based on the bioecological system theory, this study explored the concept and characteristic dimension of the learning family and verified the effect of the learning family through cross-population samples. The results of this study showed that, first, the learning family involves a process of mutual influence on the part of family members, who view the enhancement of comprehensive literacy as their core goal and can continuously accumulate knowledge and improve skills from the internal and external environments of the family through learning support and learning involvement, thereby achieving common growth, the main structure of which includes four characterizing dimensions of learning involvement, learning effectiveness, learning support and continuous learning. Second, the developed learning family scale has good reliability and validity. Third, learning families have significant positive effects on individual creativity, innovative behavior, prosocial behavior, proactive behavior, work performance, academic achievement, and science literacy. This study not only deepens our understanding of the importance of family learning and family education but also contributes to exploring the influence mechanisms underlying learning families on individual psychology and behavior in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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12 pages, 413 KiB  
Article
The Measurement Model of Family Strengths for Generation Alpha in the Thai Context
by Kanchana Pattrawiwat, Pitchaya Nilrungratana, Anusara Deewai and Sudarat Tuntivivat
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14100921 - 10 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1703
Abstract
The concept of the Thai family has shifted from the traditional family to families of various forms, such as single-parent families, same-sex families, skipped-generation families, and one-person households, which affects not only mental health, but future relationships of the children. This research aimed [...] Read more.
The concept of the Thai family has shifted from the traditional family to families of various forms, such as single-parent families, same-sex families, skipped-generation families, and one-person households, which affects not only mental health, but future relationships of the children. This research aimed to analyze the factors that contribute to family strengths in the context of Generation Alpha and develop a measurement model tailored to a Thai context. The sample consisted of parents and caregivers of Generation Alpha, divided into two sections, with 521 participants for exploratory factor analysis and 508 participants for confirmatory factor analysis. Using stratified random sampling, data were collected via questionnaires distributed across four regions of Thailand. The discrimination index ranged from 0.280–0.896, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.952. The results revealed a measurement model consisting of five key factors contributing to family strengths. The factor with the highest score was positive relationships, with a factor loading of 0.92. Additional factors included technology and media literacy, parental roles, good attributes, and mental immunity, with a factor loading of 0.80, 0.74, 0.55, and 0.44, respectively. The measurement model of family strengths for Generation Alpha in the Thai context was found to be consistent with the empirical data. These findings suggest that understanding these family strengths can significantly enhance the well-being of both Generation Alpha and their family members. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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13 pages, 567 KiB  
Article
Mothers’ Mental State Talk and 3- to 5-Year-Old Children’s Theory of Mind: Their Reciprocal Dynamic Impact
by Hang Liu, Fan Wu, Siying Li and Haiting Zhang
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070568 - 5 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1444
Abstract
The development of children’s social function is influenced by the social environment, and children also play an active role in shaping and nurturing this environment. The present study investigated the potential reciprocal dynamic impact of mothers’ mental state talk (MST) and the development [...] Read more.
The development of children’s social function is influenced by the social environment, and children also play an active role in shaping and nurturing this environment. The present study investigated the potential reciprocal dynamic impact of mothers’ mental state talk (MST) and the development of theory of mind (ToM) in children. Using a cross-sectional design, we explored the development of ToM in 3- to 5-year-old children using an unexpected location task, an unexpected content task, an appearance–reality task, and mothers’ MST during mother–child reading. The results showed the following: (1) the mothers’ MST exhibited a shift from a predilection for subjective terms (such as desires) to a preference for objective terms (such as cognitions) as their children matured; (2) the development of the children’s ToM was closely related to their mothers’ MST. The overall MST scores, as well as the different categories and referents used in MST, were closely associated with the children’s ToM development. Notably, at the age of four, a critical period emerged where the correlation between maternal MST and ToM became significantly pronounced. These findings highlight the reciprocal nature of mother–child interactions as a two-way adaptive process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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18 pages, 1743 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Parenting Behaviors and Adolescent Well-Being Varies with the Consistency of Parent–Adolescent Cultural Orientation
by Tixiang Yang, Xiaosong Gai, Su Wang and Stanley Gai
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030193 - 28 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4650
Abstract
To evaluate the limitations of the traditional parenting model in the cultural transition period, this study investigated the relationship between parenting behaviors and adolescents’ well-being, in which the moderating role of consistency in parent–adolescent cultural orientation was also investigated. Six hundred forty-four parent–adolescent [...] Read more.
To evaluate the limitations of the traditional parenting model in the cultural transition period, this study investigated the relationship between parenting behaviors and adolescents’ well-being, in which the moderating role of consistency in parent–adolescent cultural orientation was also investigated. Six hundred forty-four parent–adolescent dyads completed self-report surveys. Parents completed the cultural orientation questionnaire (parental version), and adolescents completed the cultural orientation questionnaire (adolescent version), the adolescent-perceived parenting behavior scale, the adolescent basic psychological needs scale, and the adolescent well-being questionnaire. The findings were as follows: (1) Adolescent-perceived parental autonomy support positively predicted the satisfaction of adolescents’ basic psychological needs, thereby enhancing adolescents’ well-being levels. Conversely, adolescent-perceived parental control significantly predicted the frustration of adolescents’ basic psychological needs, thereby reducing their well-being levels. (2) When both parents and adolescents share a collectivistic cultural orientation, high parental control significantly frustrated adolescents’ basic psychological needs, but it did not negatively affect their well-being. However, when parents are collectivists but adolescents are individualists, high parental control would significantly induce the frustration of basic psychological needs, thus further impairing adolescents’ well-being. The results revealed that differences in cultural orientations between generations during cultural transition periods moderate the effects of parenting behaviors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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12 pages, 737 KiB  
Article
Parental Burnout, Negative Parenting Style, and Adolescents’ Development
by Xingchen Guo, Chenyu Hao, Wei Wang and Yongxin Li
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030161 - 22 Feb 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7337
Abstract
Research on parental burnout has focused more on its antecedents than on its consequences. Burned-out parents may experience a series of behavioral changes, negatively affecting their children’s physical and mental development. This study examined the effects of primary caregivers’ parental burnout on adolescents’ [...] Read more.
Research on parental burnout has focused more on its antecedents than on its consequences. Burned-out parents may experience a series of behavioral changes, negatively affecting their children’s physical and mental development. This study examined the effects of primary caregivers’ parental burnout on adolescents’ development and the mediating role of negative parenting styles. This study used a time-lagged design, and data were collected at three different time points. Adolescents were asked to identify their primary caregivers, and parents were asked whether they were the primary caregivers of their children. Thereafter, paired data from the children and primary caregivers were collected. A total of 317 junior middle school students (178 boys, Mage = 14.20 ± 0.8 years) and primary caregivers (71 fathers, Mage = 42.20 ± 4.53 years) from Henan province participated. Primary caregivers’ parental burnout was positively associated with negative parenting styles, and negative parenting styles mediated the relationship between parental burnout and adolescent development. From the perspective of prevention-focused interventions, it is necessary to focus on preventing the occurrence of parental burnout. Further, parents should try to avoid using abusive behaviors toward their children and neglecting them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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16 pages, 774 KiB  
Article
Gendered Parenting: Maternal Son Preference and Depressive Symptoms in Chinese Early Adolescents
by Fengqing Zhao, Yinge Wang, Yudan Li, Huifang Zhang, Sen Li, Zhongjie Wang and Jie Hou
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(2), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14020104 - 31 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2008
Abstract
This study focused on the nuanced phenomenon of gendered parenting by exploring how maternal son preference is associated with depressive symptoms among Chinese early adolescents. Focusing on 1093 junior high school students from a relatively affluent city in Western China, this study examined [...] Read more.
This study focused on the nuanced phenomenon of gendered parenting by exploring how maternal son preference is associated with depressive symptoms among Chinese early adolescents. Focusing on 1093 junior high school students from a relatively affluent city in Western China, this study examined the mediating roles of mother–child attachment and father–child attachment as well as the moderating role of school connectedness in the relationship between maternal son preference and depressive symptoms. The results revealed a noteworthy positive correlation between maternal son preference and depressive symptoms among female adolescents, with no significant association observed in males. In addition, mother–child attachment and father–child attachment mediated the relationship between maternal son preference and girls’ depressive symptoms, supporting the “spillover effect” and “crossover effect”. Moreover, a moderation effect analysis indicated that a higher level of school connectedness can buffer the effect of maternal son preference on girls’ depressive symptoms, while a lower level of school connectedness can enhance the effect of maternal son preference on girls’ depressive symptoms. In addition, maternal son preference was negatively correlated with boys’ depressive symptoms in relation to high school connectedness. These insights help enhance people’s understanding of gendered parenting, emphasizing the enduring necessity of addressing son preference within the broader context of promoting gender equality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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13 pages, 699 KiB  
Article
Bidirectional Relationship between Positive Parenting Behavior and Children’s Self-Regulation: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study
by Su Wang and Xiaosong Gai
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14010038 - 5 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4226
Abstract
In this study, we used a cross-lagged design to explore the relationship between children’s self-regulation and positive parenting behaviors. Children aged 3 years (N = 84) were tested individually three times a year for their hot and cool self-regulation, while their parents’ positive [...] Read more.
In this study, we used a cross-lagged design to explore the relationship between children’s self-regulation and positive parenting behaviors. Children aged 3 years (N = 84) were tested individually three times a year for their hot and cool self-regulation, while their parents’ positive parenting behaviors (warmth, structure, and autonomy support) were collected through questionnaires. In the structural equation panel model, bidirectional relations between children’s inhibitory control and parental positive parenting were found. Children’s inhibitory control and positive parenting predicted changes in each other for the first six months. Such a reciprocal relationship also existed between parental autonomy support and children’s inhibitory control. There was a cross-lagged effect between parental warmth and children’ inhibitory control rather than a simultaneous relation. Children’s inhibitory control positively predicted parental structural behaviors rather than vice versa. Children’s delayed waiting and positive parenting (autonomy support) were only positively correlated, rather than having a lagging effect. All the relationships faded over time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parenting and Positive Development for Children and Adolescents)
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