Exploring Empathy as a Moderator of Parenting Styles Across Generations
Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
Parenting styles (authoritarian, authoritative, permissive) are often passed from one generation to the next. Although this intergenerational transmission is well documented, few studies have examined whether empathy may serve as a moderator of the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles. Moreover, studies do not typically account for both maternal and paternal parenting style history.
The present study examined maternal empathy as a moderator of the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles among mothers. Participants were 203 first-time mothers who participated in a larger longitudinal study. During their third trimester of pregnancy, mothers retrospectively reported on both their mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles, as well as on their own empathic ability. Mothers’ expected parenting style was then assessed six months postpartum.
Mothers’ histories of maternal and paternal authoritative parenting did not predict their own authoritative parenting style six months postpartum. Empathy predicted mothers’ authoritative parenting style but did not moderate the transmission of authoritative parenting. In contrast, maternal and paternal authoritarian parenting predicted mothers’ authoritarian parenting style at six months postpartum. Maternal empathy did not predict authoritarian parenting; however, empathy moderated the intergenerational transmission of maternal authoritarian parenting and marginally moderated paternal authoritarian parenting transmission. Maternal and paternal permissive parenting histories predicted mothers’ permissive parenting style; however, empathy neither predicted mothers’ permissive parenting nor moderated the transmission of permissive parenting.
These findings suggest that authoritarian parenting—often categorized as “negative parenting,” including high-control and low warmth—may show greater intergenerational continuity than other parenting styles, with empathy shaping these patterns. Future research should explore discontinuity in parenting styles, with attention to empathy as a moderator of how individuals adopt parenting styles that may differ from those they experienced, particularly when raised by an authoritarian parent.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Christina Rodriguez
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
crodriguez@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Clinical Psychology
College/School Affiliation
College of Sciences
Student Level Group
Undergraduate
Presentation Type
Poster
Exploring Empathy as a Moderator of Parenting Styles Across Generations
Parenting styles (authoritarian, authoritative, permissive) are often passed from one generation to the next. Although this intergenerational transmission is well documented, few studies have examined whether empathy may serve as a moderator of the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles. Moreover, studies do not typically account for both maternal and paternal parenting style history.
The present study examined maternal empathy as a moderator of the intergenerational transmission of parenting styles among mothers. Participants were 203 first-time mothers who participated in a larger longitudinal study. During their third trimester of pregnancy, mothers retrospectively reported on both their mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles, as well as on their own empathic ability. Mothers’ expected parenting style was then assessed six months postpartum.
Mothers’ histories of maternal and paternal authoritative parenting did not predict their own authoritative parenting style six months postpartum. Empathy predicted mothers’ authoritative parenting style but did not moderate the transmission of authoritative parenting. In contrast, maternal and paternal authoritarian parenting predicted mothers’ authoritarian parenting style at six months postpartum. Maternal empathy did not predict authoritarian parenting; however, empathy moderated the intergenerational transmission of maternal authoritarian parenting and marginally moderated paternal authoritarian parenting transmission. Maternal and paternal permissive parenting histories predicted mothers’ permissive parenting style; however, empathy neither predicted mothers’ permissive parenting nor moderated the transmission of permissive parenting.
These findings suggest that authoritarian parenting—often categorized as “negative parenting,” including high-control and low warmth—may show greater intergenerational continuity than other parenting styles, with empathy shaping these patterns. Future research should explore discontinuity in parenting styles, with attention to empathy as a moderator of how individuals adopt parenting styles that may differ from those they experienced, particularly when raised by an authoritarian parent.