Measurement of Parental Autonomy Support: A Review of Theoretical Concerns and Developmental Considerations

This review focuses on the measurement of parental autonomy support across different developmental periods. We begin with a summary of current theoretical perspectives on autonomy development and how they have informed the conceptualization of autonomy supportive parenting. We then discuss four different developmental periods (infancy/early childhood, middle childhood, early/middle adolescence, and late adolescence), summarizing developmental considerations for each and how such considerations have an impact on both the nature of autonomy support and how it is assessed. We hope that this information will serve as a resource for researchers who study parental autonomy support across a range of developmental periods, supporting them as they make measurement decisions.