Individual differences in adolescents' beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority and their own obligation to obey: A longitudinal investigation

Abstract

Adolescents’ beliefs about the legitimacy of parental authority and obligation to obey were examined in 568 Chilean adolescents (11–14 years old at Wave 1), followed once a year for 4 years. Adolescents’ beliefs about parental legitimacy and obligation to obey declined with age. The steepest decline occurred during early adolescence, particularly in the personal domain. Adolescents who were uninvolved in problem behavior and perceived their parents to be supportive or high in monitoring at Wave 1 were more likely to endorse parental legitimacy and obligation to obey over time. There was little evidence that parenting or problem behavior moderated the normative decline in adolescents’ beliefs about parental authority. Findings concerning individual differences in adolescents’ endorsement of parental authority are highlighted in this study.

Publisher

Wiley

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Publication Title

Child Development

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2008.01178.x

Language

English

Format

text

Link to Full Text

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