Abstract
The terms helicopter and overprotective parenting (HP, OP) have been used interchangeably, but there could be unexamined differences, including differences in correlations with other aspects of parenting and social-contextual conditions. In this study, we explored the factor structure of two commonly used measures of HP and OP in a sample of 701 Australian parents of adolescents (aged 16 – 19 years) and compared the correlations of the emergent factors with measures of parenting behaviors, mental health, and parenting pressures. Two factors were found that differentiated 13 items that referred to generally controlling and demanding OP behaviors (Demanding OP) from 8 items that referred to parenting under conditions of child difficulty suggesting a response to the child needs (Responsive OP). Before adjustment (i.e., zero-order correlations), but especially after adjusting for scores on the other factor (i.e., partial correlations), Demanding OP was associated with less positive (e.g., autonomy support) and more negative (e.g., control) parenting behaviors, as well as higher scores on parent anxiety, child anxiety and antisocial behavior, parental burnout, social comparison to parents on social media, and job/financial pressures. After adjustment for Demanding OP, Responsive OP aligned with positive parenting and more enjoyment of parenting, but was not associated with burnout or parent anxiety, and had little association with child mental health. Yet, Responsive OP was associated with more pressure to be an ideal parent. Both Demanding and Responsive OP were associated with more overvaluation of the child.