Parenting dimensions and adolescents’ internalisation of moral values

This study examined relations between parenting dimensions (involvement, autonomy support and structure) and adolescents’ moral values internalisation. A sample of 101 adolescents (71% female; 76% white; M age516.10, SD51.17) reported on the parenting behaviour of one of their parents and on their own moral values. Four forms of values regulation were assessed (external, introjected, identified and integrated), as well as overall internalisation. Structure was positively linked to external and introjected regulation, involvement was positively associated with identified and integrated regulation and structure was negatively linked to overall internalisation. Additionally, positive interactions were found for autonomy support and involvement predicting identified and integrated regulation. Implications for parenting and moral education are discussed.