Parental Autonomy Support and Social Competence in Chinese Emerging Adults: the Mediation Role of Social Desirablity

Aims: The current study aimed to examine the relationship between parental autonomy support and social competence among Chinese emerging adults, and explore whether social desirablity plays a mediating role between parental support and social competence. Methods: This study used cross-sectional and correlational design. Participants were 386 Chinese college students (72.8% girls) aged between 18 and 25 years. Data was collected via self-report questionnaires, including parental autonomy support (Genevie've A. Mageau, 2015), social desirablity (Karl Schuessler et al., 1978) and social competence(Valkenburg & Peter, 2008). Results: Structural equation modeling analysis controlling for age, gender and SES showed that (a) There was a significant positive correlation between parental autonomy support, social desirablity, and social competence; (b) Parental autonomy support was positively predicted to social desirablity and social competence; Social desirablity was positively predicted to social competence; (c) Social desirablity mediated the relationship between parental autonomy support and social competence.