The relation between parenting style and Chinese mother-child attachment security: Mediator and moderator effects

The role of child temperament, Asian values, parenting stress, social support, and behavioral acculturation in the relation between parenting style and mother-child attachment security was examined in 100 Mainland Chinese and 50 Chinese American families. Variables of interest were measured using self-report instruments. Results indicated that for the Mainland Chinese, mother's adherence to Asian values was positively associated with the presence of an authoritarian parenting style. An authoritative parenting style was positively associated with attachment security. In addition, an authoritarian parenting style and parenting stress were negatively associated with attachment security. For the Chinese Americans, results showed that behavioral acculturation was negatively associated with Asian values and parenting stress. The data supported the predicted model in which child temperamental characteristics moderated the relation between parenting style and attachment security. Further, perceived parenting stress mediated the relation between adherence to Asian values and parenting style and the relation between parenting style and attachment security in the Mainland Chinese families. No moderating or mediating effects were found for the Chinese American families. These findings illustrate how child temperament, culture, and stress may influence the development of parenting style and attachment security among Chinese mother-child dyads.