Abstract
This study examined the paradox between the difficulties of parenting and the high levels of parenting satisfaction in terms of positive illusions. Results were consistent with a positive illusions model, as biological parents with a child between the ages of 2 and 5 reported unrealistically positive views of their children. They rated their own children as possessing more positive and less negative attributes than the average child. The more positively parents rated themselves, the more positively they rated their children. Parents' self-esteem scores, unrealistically positive ratings of the child, and positive illusions of parenting were related to 3 aspects of the parenting experience. This study extends the literature on positive illusions to encompass parents' positive illusions about their young children.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 611-634 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Social Psychology |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
- Social Psychology
Cite this
Positive illusions in parenting : Every child is above average. / Wenger, Andrew; Fowers, Blaine.
In: Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 38, No. 3, 01.03.2008, p. 611-634.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Positive illusions in parenting
T2 - Every child is above average
AU - Wenger, Andrew
AU - Fowers, Blaine
PY - 2008/3/1
Y1 - 2008/3/1
N2 - This study examined the paradox between the difficulties of parenting and the high levels of parenting satisfaction in terms of positive illusions. Results were consistent with a positive illusions model, as biological parents with a child between the ages of 2 and 5 reported unrealistically positive views of their children. They rated their own children as possessing more positive and less negative attributes than the average child. The more positively parents rated themselves, the more positively they rated their children. Parents' self-esteem scores, unrealistically positive ratings of the child, and positive illusions of parenting were related to 3 aspects of the parenting experience. This study extends the literature on positive illusions to encompass parents' positive illusions about their young children.
AB - This study examined the paradox between the difficulties of parenting and the high levels of parenting satisfaction in terms of positive illusions. Results were consistent with a positive illusions model, as biological parents with a child between the ages of 2 and 5 reported unrealistically positive views of their children. They rated their own children as possessing more positive and less negative attributes than the average child. The more positively parents rated themselves, the more positively they rated their children. Parents' self-esteem scores, unrealistically positive ratings of the child, and positive illusions of parenting were related to 3 aspects of the parenting experience. This study extends the literature on positive illusions to encompass parents' positive illusions about their young children.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=39749118849&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=39749118849&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2007.00319.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2007.00319.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:39749118849
VL - 38
SP - 611
EP - 634
JO - Journal of Applied Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Applied Social Psychology
SN - 0021-9029
IS - 3
ER -