Prenatal beliefs regarding child development as predictors of toddler compliance: Indirect associations via harsh and nonharsh parental control.

Based on Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017), this study examined longitudinal predictions of two types of prenatal maternal beliefs about child development: (a) belief in coercion and external control and (b) belief in intensive monitoring. Based on laboratory observations of first-time mothers (N = 305), maternal control and toddler noncompliance at age 2 years were examined in relation to each prenatal belief. A path analysis revealed that the two beliefs show different patterns of associations with child compliance and noncompliance 2 years postpartum, via two different types of maternal control: harsh and nonharsh. Mothers' prenatal belief in coercion and external control was associated with mothers' tendency to exercise harsh control (e.g., threats and punishments conveyed in an unpleasant tone), which, in turn, was positively associated with child defiance and negatively associated with child compliance. Mothers' prenatal belief in intensive monitoring was associated with nonharsh control (e.g., repetitive requests, expressions of disappointment, and dismissive redirection), which, in turn, positively predicted child passive noncompliance (i.e., ignoring maternal directives) and negatively predicted compliance. Our findings underscore the potential long-term effects of prenatal control-oriented beliefs on parenting behaviors, particularly in fostering postpartum control strategies that may contribute to varying forms of toddler noncompliance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).