Developmental patterns in decision-making autonomy across middle childhood and adolescence: European American parents' perspectives.
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.
Wray-Lake
Laura
L
The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, S-110 Henderson Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. ldw134@psu.edu
Crouter
Ann C
AC
McHale
Susan M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D001722:Birth Order; D002648:Child; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007207:Individuation; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011594:Psychometrics; D012925:Social Conformity; D012951:Socialization; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult