Interdependent Self-Construal as a Moderator in the Relationship Between Extrinsic Aspiration for Children and Parental Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

Research on Self-Determination Theory suggests that the pursuit of extrinsic aspirations (e.g. to be rich) can have negative consequences on well-being. Yet little research has examined whether holding extrinsic aspiration for other people evidences similar relationships. The current research examined how holding extrinsic aspirations for one’s children (AFC) is related to parents’ own psychological well-being. I expected endorsing extrinsic AFC might also bear negatively predict parental psychological well-being. However, I contended that the strength of relationship might vary according to interdependent self-construal. To the extent people’s self-construal is interdependent, they might attach different meaning to extrinsic AFC (e.g. as a way to be responsible and competent parents). These additional meaning could neutralize or even reverse its negative implication over parental psychological well-being. Two studies (one within-culture and one cross-cultural) were designed to test these hypotheses. Parent participants completed individual difference measure of self-construal, extrinsic AFC and parental psychological well-being. The results generally confirmed the hypotheses.