A qualitative analysis of autonomy-supportive parenting in families experiencing homelessness

Objective This exploratory qualitative study examined whether parents of young children residing in emergency housing endorse autonomy-supportive parenting values. Background Young children experiencing homelessness are at increased risk for self-regulation difficulties, but one possible way to support self-regulation development during a window of plasticity in the preschool period is through autonomy-supportive parenting. Autonomy support has been shown to uniquely predict early self-regulation skills. However, there is also evidence to suggest that autonomy support could be problematic in risky environments. Method Twenty-one parents of 3- to 6-year-old children participated in a brief interview about parenting and self-regulation development. Guided by self-determination theory, the interviews were subsequently coded for themes related to autonomy support. Results Parents endorsed ideas consistent with autonomy support, such as recognizing children's capabilities and listening to children's ideas. However, parents also viewed some behaviors, such as offering young children choices, to be less acceptable. Conclusion Findings suggest that parents experiencing homelessness may provide autonomy support in different ways than parents in more stable living conditions or from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Implications Parenting interventions that aim to promote early self-regulation development through autonomy-supportive practices might consider tailoring intervention components to align with the socialization priorities of families experiencing homelessness.