1. Objectifs

Intentions :
«More specifically, the study aims to 1) describe the evolution of self-esteem and the potential impact of parental support and control on self-esteem, and 2) describe the progression of psychological distress and the potential effects of parental support and control on this progression.» (p. 687)

Questions/Hypothèses :
«Based on previous studies, we hypothesize that self-esteem will increase with age and parental support, decrease with parental abusive control and be higher among boys. We also expect to find an increase in levels of psychological distress with age and among girls. Finally, we posit that psychological distress will decrease with higher parental support and lower parental coercive control.» (p. 687)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«The data used in this study were collected during the first three survey waves (2002, 2004 and 2006) of an ongoing longitudinal study. […]These 605 students (55.4% girls), who were 14 years of age, completed the questionnaire and constituted the initial longitudinal sample. Of these, 408 (67.4%) also completed the questionnaires at 16 years old and 413 (68.3%) at 18 years old.» (p. 697-698)

Instruments :
Questionnaire : Coercive Control

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

«In accordance with earlier findings on parenting […] the trajectory model developed in the present study reveals that maternal and paternal emotional support both promote better self-esteem in adolescents. […] Contrary to the initial hypothesis, the results suggest that parental coercive control negatively influences adolescents’ self-esteem only from age 16 and when it comes from the mother. […] Nevertheless, the model developed in the present study demonstrates that maternal coercive control has a significant negative impact on self-esteem at ages 16 and 18. Further research would be needed to better understand the role of paternal and maternal control on adolescents’ self-esteem. According to our best explanatory model of psychological distress, age has no significant influence on the level of perceived psychological distress. Youths reported similar levels of distress from ages 14 to 18. […] The second trajectory model developed in the present study demonstrates an effect of both maternal and paternal emotional support and coercive control on levels of psychological distress.» (p. 700-701)