Parenting Styles and Practices in Enhancing Self-Determination of Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Parenting styles and practices are crucial in promoting the self-determination of children. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the role of parenting styles and practices in enhancing the self-determination of children with/without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The present study was carried out with a sample of 243 parents of children with/without IDD in Turkiye (Turkey). The results indicated that an authoritative parenting style and autonomy-supportive parenting practices positively affect the degree of child self-determination, whereas permissive and overprotective parenting practices may limit child opportunities in fostering self-determination. The study results also showed that urbanization, higher income, and higher education level of parents positively impacted the degree of child self-determination. Parents of typically developing children reported higher levels of overall self-determination for their typically developing children when compared with children with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. On the other hand, parents of children with mild disabilities reported a higher level of self-determination than both children with moderate and severe disabilities. The results were discussed within the cultural context of the current sample.