title: Examining the longitudinal association between oppositional defiance and autonomy in adolescence.
abstract: In this longitudinal study, we tested whether the association between oppositional defiance to parental authority (i.e., adolescents' tendency to bluntly reject parental rules) and autonomy would depend upon the specific conceptualization of autonomy. Whereas oppositional defiance would yield more interpersonal distance from parents, because it involves turning away from parental authority, it would also yield less volitional functioning, as oppositional defiance would come at the expense of acting upon one's personal values and interests. A sample of 387 middle and late adolescents (age range = 14-20 years at Time 1) filled out questionnaires at 2 time points, separated by a 2-year interval. With increasing age, adolescents reported less oppositional defiance and more volitional functioning. Late adolescents in particular reported less interpersonal distance from their parents. Cross-lagged analyses indicated that oppositional defiance predicted increases in interpersonal distance as well as decreases in volitional functioning across time. Conversely, higher scores on volitional functioning predicted decreases in oppositional defiance. These findings emphasize the necessity of a differentiated approach to autonomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University.
authors.forename: Stijn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Petegem
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University.
authors.forename: Maarten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vansteenkiste
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Soenens
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Beyers
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aelterman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009341:Negativism; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D014836:Volition; D055815:Young Adult