Abstract

The current study examined parental intrusiveness and its linkages with children's peer-related outcomes. One primary goal of the project was to test study hypotheses predicting that higher levels of intrusiveness would be linked to more negative outcomes with peers. Another main goal of the study was to test a novel "wish friend" measure, intended to appraise children's desires for additional or more intense friendships. Participants from a "laboratory" school in Los Angeles were 128 children and 60 parents at time 1 and 117 children and 34 parents at time 2. Findings from the current work provided preliminary evidence that high levels of parental intrusiveness are linked to more negative peer-related outcomes for children. Cross-sectional analyses revealed that children who rated their fathers as high on physical engagement and behavioral restriction were more likely to receive lower centrality ratings by their peers. Children's desire for having a "wish friend" was also linked to mothers and fathers who exhibited higher levels of physical engagement and behavioral restriction. Analyses from year 1 to year 2 indicated that children who rated their fathers high on using "baby talk" received friendship reciprocity ratings that were lower than expected a year later. Subjects who reported receiving high levels of assistance from their mothers during daily tasks such as bathing received lower-than-expected popularity ratings a year later. Children of fathers who engaged in frequent displays of physical affection were rated as less well-liked by their classroom peers a year later.