The Psychosocial Construction of Parenting: An Examination of Parenting Goals and Narratives in Relation to Well-Being

William L. Dunlop (), Lawrence J. Walker, Grace E. Hanley and Nicole Harake
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William L. Dunlop: University of California, Riverside
Lawrence J. Walker: University of British Columbia
Grace E. Hanley: University of California, Riverside
Nicole Harake: University of California, Riverside

Journal of Happiness Studies, 2017, vol. 18, issue 6, No 9, 1729-1745

Abstract: Abstract In two studies, we examined the implications psychosocial constructions of parenting hold for an understanding of well-being. In studies 1 (N = 504) and 2 (N = 98) participants provided a list of personal goals and narratives about the experience of becoming parents, respectively. In both studies, measures of well-being were also completed. Goals were categorized on the basis of whether they contained reference to parenting as well as agentic and communal motivation, whereas stories were coded for themes of exploration and resolution. In Study 1, the proportion of parenting goals related positively with well-being, although this effect was rendered non-significant after accounting for the communal motivation of parenting goals. In Study 2, themes of exploration and resolution in parents’ narratives positively predicted well-being. Collectively, these results provide intimation of parenting’s “meaningfulness” within the current socio-cultural context.

Keywords: Personal goals; Autobiographical narratives; Parenting; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9796-z

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