Developmental Patterns in Decision-Making Autonomy Across Middle Childhood and Adolescence: European American Parents’ Perspectives
Document Type
Article
Department
Behavioral and Organizational Sciences (CGU)
Publication Date
2010
Disciplines
Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
Longitudinal patterns in parents’ reports of youth decision-making autonomy from ages 9 to 20 were examined in a study of 201 European American families with 2 offspring. Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that decision-making autonomy increased gradually across middle childhood and adolescence before rising sharply in late adolescence. Social domain theory was supported by analyses of 8 decision types spanning prudential, conventional, personal, and multifaceted domains. Decision making was higher for girls, youth whom parents perceived as easier to supervise, and youth with better educated parents. Firstborns and secondborns had different age-related trajectories of decision-making autonomy. Findings shed light on the developmental trajectories and family processes associated with adolescents’ fundamental task of gaining autonomy.
Rights Information
© 2010 Laura Wray-Lake, Ann C. Crouter, and Susan M. McHale. Journal Compilation © 2010 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.
Terms of Use & License Information
DOI
10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01420.x
Recommended Citation
Wray-Lake, L., Crouter, A. C. and McHale, S. M. (2010), Developmental Patterns in Decision-Making Autonomy Across Middle Childhood and Adolescence: European American Parents’ Perspectives. Child Development, 81: 636–651. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01420.x
