Explaining the negative association between overparenting and parent-child relationship satisfaction: communication and attachment perspectives

Abstract

Research shows that overparented emerging adults experience low satisfaction with parents and the family. To investigate why overparenting relates to low parent-child relationship satisfaction, this study used the three-form design, a planned missing data design, and collected cross-sectional data from U.S. (n = 282) and Chinese emerging adults (n = 281). Structural equation modeling was used to examine the hypotheses. Results show that U.S. and Chinese parents engaged in comparable levels of overparenting, and parent-child communication and attachment anxiety explained why overparented emerging adults experienced low satisfaction in both cultures. The findings indicate that overparenting might be a cross-cultural phenomenon. Moreover, engaging in open and problem-free family communication has positive implications for promoting relational health during emerging adulthood.