More publication news to share: another study, led by Cindy Eira Nunes and Elliana Lamprianidou in collaboration with other colleagues from ULB, UNIL and University of Lincoln, has been accepted for publication in Journal of Family Issues! This study investigated the potential links between parents’ beliefs about parenthood and their involvement in their adolescent’s life.

Research shows that parents’ gender essentialist beliefs (e.g., thinking women are naturally better parents than men) influence how parenting duties are shared. In our study of 1,260 parents of adolescents (62% mothers), we examined how these beliefs relate to both positive (responsiveness, autonomy support) and negative (overprotection, controlling) forms of parental involvement. We found that stronger essentialist beliefs were linked to more negative involvement for both parents—and to less positive involvement for fathers. In conclusion, these beliefs shape not just how much parents are involved, but also the nature of their involvement.

Interested? Read or download the full paper!