De veranderingen in de Autonomie bij Adolescenten en het Verband met Moederlijke Autonomieondersteuning

Aim According the self-determination theory, striving autonomy and experiencing autonomy support has a wide range of positive outcomes. The present study examines the development of striving autonomy by the adolescent over time and the difference in striving autonomy when the adolescent gets high motherly support in autonomy or low motherly support in autonomy. Finally, this study looks at possible interaction effects between the variables. Method In a longitudinal study named RADAR, adolescents and their mothers were asked to interact during a conflict they often have and to interact in a discussion with a specified subject. These interactions were observed and scored. The adolescents were observed once a year during five waves over an age of 13 till 17 years old. In this study, 62 mother-adolescent pairs participated in the conflicttask and 54 mother-adolescent pairs in the discussiontask. These tasks were scored and interpreted apart from each other. Results The results indicate a significant linear growth of striving autonomy over time during conflicts. Furthermore, it is clear that the degree of mother’s support in autonomy makes a significant difference on striving autonomy of the adolescent. It also appears that there is a quadratic significant interaction-effect during conflicts. Conclusion The present study found several significant differences in striving autonomy due to age and the degree of motherly support in autonomy. Limitations and implications for future research are mentioned in the discussion