The socializing role of the problem-constraint link: A multimethod investigation

Experimental studies on parent-youth disagreements have revealed the potential socialization advantages of favoring parental constraints with strong problem-constraint links (i.e., logical consequences) over constraints with weak problem-constraint links (e.g., mild punishments). In this study, we extended this line of research by examining the relation between youth perceptions of their parents' actual usage of constraints during disagreements and indicators of compliance and internalization. A total of 437 adolescents (Mage = 15.90; 53% female) completed a cross-sectional questionnaire on global parent-youth disagreements, while a subsample of 179 adolescents also completed daily diaries of situational parent-youth disagreements. Results replicated and extended those of past studies. In both designs, constraints with stronger problem-constraint links were, overall, related to higher scores on indicators of compliance and internalization. These relations were not moderated by age. Noteworthy relations were also found between covariates (e.g., harshness, autonomy-support) and outcomes. A two-step procedure to identify logical consequences is presented. •This study examines parental usage of logical consequences in real-life settings.•Logical consequences seemed to foster both youth compliance and internalization.•The problem-constraint link and parental harshness were not systematically related.•The problem-constraint link and parental autonomy support were positively related.•A two-step procedure to properly identify and use logical consequences is discussed.