Parental influences on children's social competence: Direct and indirect pathways

This study investigated pathways of parental influence thought to contribute to children's social competence. Two pathways were investigated: a direct pathway explored from the perspective of children's recommendations of parenting practices and an indirect pathway explored through children's perceptions of parental acceptance and rejection. Support was found for the direct pathway of influence. Results indicated that children's recommendations of disciplinary responses were positively related to parental responses to behavioral infractions. Children's recommendations of coercive and harsh discipline were also related to children's aggressive behavior as assessed by teachers and peers. The indirect pathway of influence as assessed through children's perceptions of parental acceptance and rejection was not supported. Findings are discussed in terms of the importance of parenting practices and their contributions to children's success with peers. Continued research in this area will help to clarify both direct and indirect pathways of influence and their contributions to children's social competence.