Overparenting and Emerging Adult Development: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Researchers have investigated the phenomenon of overparenting of emerging adult children and its association with emerging adult development. With the increasing body of research in recent years on this topic, a timely systematic review is needed to gain a better understanding of the literature. This systematic review targets quantitative studies of overparenting and several domains of development (psychological, behavioral, social and relational, learning/academic and career) of emerging adult children (with a sample mean age between 18 to 29) that are published in English in peer-reviewed journals in the past 20 years (2002–2021). A search of four databases (PsycINFO, Web of Science, ERIC, and ASSIA) identified 74 eligible studies between 2002 to 2021. The majority of the studies are theory-driven (n = 65), with self-determination theory being the most used. Study samples ranged from 89 to 2,253, most are of college students (n = 65), from the U.S. (n = 58), and with more female than male participants (n = 65). Almost all studies used a cross-sectional design (n = 70) and at least one of the several established overparenting measures. Various analytical strategies were used, ranging from structural equation modeling to latent class/profile analysis. Findings overwhelmingly suggested negative associations between overparenting and emerging adults’ development in the psychological, behavioral, social and relational, learning/academic and career domains. Some mixed findings were also reported, especially in the learning/academic and career domain. Limitations and future directions are also discussed.