The role of mothers’ child-based self-worth in their parenting practices

Abstract

This study examined mothers’ tendency to base their self-esteem on their children’s accomplishments (i.e., child-based worth) and its potential implications for their parenting practices. Child-based worth was assessed in three domains of development: virtue, academic competence, and physical appearance. Participants were 302 mothers (age range: 21–69) of early to middle adolescents (age range: 10–17; 59% girls) in the United States. Mothers completed a survey about their child-based self-worth and use of autonomy-supportive and controlling practices. Results showed that mothers of adolescents tended to base their self-worth on children’s academic competence to a greater extent, compared to virtue and physical appearance. Child-based worth in virtue and physical appearance were associated with heightened psychological control, after adjusting for covariates. In addition, mothers who based their self-worth on their children’s physical appearance tended to show dampened autonomy support. Findings suggest that the implications of mothers’ child-based worth for their parenting practices may vary depending on the domain of children’s development.