Developmental Milestone Expectations, Parenting Styles and Self-Construal in Malaysian and Australian Caregivers

Abstract

The study examined the developmental milestone expectations, parenting styles and self-construal of Malaysian and Anglo-Australian caregivers as determined by questionnaires. Malaysian caregivers scored significantly higher on interdependent self-construal and Authoritarian parenting style than AngloAustralian caregivers. In terms of developmental milestones, Malaysian caregivers expected a later age of attainment for these milestones than AngloAustralians for three of the six developmental domains: compliance, peer interaction and verbal skills. Malaysians had later age expectancies for individual competencies than Anglo-Australians for 19 of the 45 competencies. Malaysians had earlier expectations than Anglo-Australians for five of the competencies. These results are congruent with the values associated with individualist cultures, in which high value is placed on independence, autonomy and early mastery of developmental milestones.