The APA has published a 308-page book on research on
parenting styles, edited by Brian K. Barber. The book looks at two types of
parenting: the more harmful psychological control and the more appropriate
behavioral control. The book is a scholarly book based on solid research by
several contributing researchers. It is intended for “scholars and others
interested in parent-child relationships.” This book would be a good textbook
for graduate students of psychology and related fields, and belongs on a shelf
of serious reference for professors teaching students about families and
parenting based on research. The clinical applications are numerous and are
outlined by the authors.

The book begins with a chapter by Barber, where he
compares the two different styles of parenting (psychological and behavioral),
a review of previous research, and a discussion of the how the rest of the book
will add to the topic. From there, the book proceeds to describe much more
recent research that is greatly improved from a research design viewpoint. For
instance, the newer research uses more measurements than self-report (such as
multiple informants), and it uses multiple measurements as well. Also, the
newer research controls for possible extraneous variables, uses larger samples,
uses a long-term longitudinal method, includes younger children, not just
adolescents, and discusses the implications of the research outcomes.

The more appropriate behavioral control is when a
parent monitors behaviors, such as activities, manners, chores and school or
other important issues. On the other hand, psychological control is more
passive and insidious, more controlling, and harmful. It is when a parent has
control over the child’s psychological world, such as feelings, identity, and
even verbal expressions of the child’s internal world. Psychological control
induces guilt, shame, and problems such as aggression or depression, low
self-esteem, and alienation. Behavioral control, in contrast, uses consistent
disciplinary practices and allows the child to discuss opposing viewpoints.

By reading Barber’s definition of psychological
control and the definitions throughout the book of both types, it is easy to
see that the more harmful style to the child is psychological control. Barber
uses a quote from his earlier research that draws not only on his works but the
works of others, in which he states that psychological control “…is nonresponsive
to the child’s emotional and psychological needs…” and the child is given
limited opportunities to develop a sense of personal efficacy.

With psychological control, the child is treated in
such a way that there is no opportunity for self-expression and other healthy
modes of interacting in the world. The book describes parents who use this
style as engaging in intruding, manipulative, and inhibiting behaviors and
styles of interaction. Behavioral control, in contrast, is less covert and more
direct, and allows the child to explore the world on his or her own, within set
limits. Typically, behavioral control is what is taught in parenting classes
while psychological control is not.

The book looks at all the different outcomes; the
different correlates of each style, and increases the reader’s understanding of
what each of these styles is, and most importantly, how harmful it can be to
use psychological control. Difficulties that children and adolescents have who
have been raised with psychological rather than behavioral control are
described in detail and the research has improved over time in this area, as
evidenced by this book. For instance, children raised with psychological
control have an external locus of control. On the other hand, those who are
raised with behavioral controls have an internal locus of control. Similarly,
research has shown that children raised with behavioral controls have parents
who are more involved in a positive way with their lives, and there are less
conflict in the home between the parents, compared to those raised with
psychological control.

The more current research also reviewed the gender
of the parent and the child, where relevant, and found that there is a
correlation between gender and style of parenting. For instance, one study
found that where a father and mother are having conflict, the father who uses
psychological control by withdrawing from his wife will also do so with his
daughter, Also, the parenting styles were studied using specific populations, such
as those with spina bifida, and psychological control is found to be higher
with this group. The importance of this for children with disabilities is
obvious. Demographics as a variable are also included as a chapter in the book,
as cross-cultural comparisons have also been done and are included in the book,
too.

Although many studies showed correlational results
that would suggest cause and effect, this is not always true. Therefore, in
addition to recommending better statistical analyses in future studies, the
current studies in the book did use the better analyses, as well as general
overall better research methods. Thus, the book ends with not only a summary of
the research, but suggestions for future research, and implications of the
findings. Recommendations included viewing subgroup differences in
psychological control more carefully, more clearly stating the affects of
psychological control through better analyses, and discovering why some parents
use psychological control.

©
2002 Patricia Ferguson

Dr. Patricia Ferguson
is a licensed clinical psychologist in northern California. She is also a
published freelance writer and editor in many different areas, including
ADVANCE for radiation technicians, MedioCom, and The Journal of Interpersonal
Violence. She was honored to be placed in Who’s Who of Women for the Year 2000.
Her areas of interest are varied. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from San
Diego State University and received her doctorate from Nova University in
Florida. She enjoys traveling, camping, and playing guitar. She also has
sold a few pieces of her artwork. Most importantly to her, she enjoys her
family time, including her husband, daughter, 20, and son, 14.

Categories: ChildhoodDisorders, Relationships