When love constrains: The impact of parental psychological control on dark personality development in adolescents

Abstract

While previous research has highlighted the effects of parental psychological control (PPC) on children's maladaptive development, this study adopts the intergenerational transmission framework to explore the potential influence of PPC on the development of children's personality traits, particularly Dark Triad traits (DT), from the perspective of family processes. Based on a combination of cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches, this study aims to explore the potential link between PPC and the development of DT traits in children through two sub-studies, aiming to uncover the underlying psychological mechanisms. The chain mediation model in Study 1 suggested that excessive PPC is significantly associated with higher levels of DT traits in children, with this relationship being mediated by alienation and peer conflicts. The RI-CLPM in Study 2 further revealed that early parental psychological control may predict the continued development of DT traits over time, and teachers' emotional support may serve as a buffering factor in this longitudinal process. These conclusions offer new insights into the complex dynamics between parents and their offspring, highlighting that, at times, love can also act as a form of constraint.