The Relation of Helicopter Parenting to Maladaptive Perfectionism in Emerging Adults

Abstract

Helicopter parenting may contribute to the development of children’s maladaptive perfectionism. This relationship may be salient in emerging adulthood, a time characterized by decision-making and navigating novel situations. This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the relation of helicopter parenting and maladaptive perfectionism. Emerging adult college students ( n = 264) completed measures of helicopter parenting and a measure of maladaptive perfectionism. Factor analysis of the helicopter parenting measures yielded two factors: the perceived parental behavior factor included items about parents intervening in the emerging adults’ lives and the affective response factor included items about how the emerging adults felt about the reported parental intervention. Findings supported a mediation model where parental behavior was related to maladaptive perfectionism through the construct of affective response. These findings document the importance of understanding behaviors associated with helicopter parenting as well as individual differences in how emerging adults interpret and respond to those behaviors.