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Perceived Parental Control and Parent–Child Relational Qualities in Early Adolescents In Hong Kong: Parent Gender, Child Gender and Grade Differences

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Abstract

This study examined parent gender, child gender and grade differences in perceived parental control and parent–adolescent relational qualities in early adolescents in Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China. Utilizing a longitudinal research design, 2,559 Chinese secondary school students responded to instruments assessing perceived parental behavioral control, parental psychological control, and parent–child relational qualities over three consecutive years. Results showed that there were parent gender and child gender differences in parental control and parent–adolescent relational qualities, but interaction effects of parent gender and child gender were also found. These findings strongly challenge the traditional Chinese cultural belief of “strict fathers, kind mothers”. Results also consistently showed that the levels of perceived parental behavioral control and parent–child relational qualities gradually declined from grades 7 to 9 in early adolescent years in the Chinese culture.

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Acknowledgment

This work was financially supported by the Research Grants Council of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong (grant CUHK4293/03H) and Wofoo Foundation Limited. The author wishes to thank Britta Lee and Joyce Chow for providing assistance in collecting and analyzing the data. Address all correspondence to Daniel T. L. Shek, Social Welfare Practice and Research Centre, Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.

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  1. Centre for Quality of Life, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong

    Daniel T. L. Shek

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Correspondence to Daniel T. L. Shek.

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Shek, D.T.L. Perceived Parental Control and Parent–Child Relational Qualities in Early Adolescents In Hong Kong: Parent Gender, Child Gender and Grade Differences. Sex Roles 58, 666–681 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-007-9371-5

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