Gender Differences in Reciprocal Associations Between Parenting Styles and Preschool Children’s Executive Functioning: A Cross-Lagged Study in China

Research Findings: Although recent research has explored the reciprocal relationships between parental behaviors and children’ s self-regulation, few studies have examined the bidirectional associations between parenting styles and preschool children’ s executive function (EF) observed in everyday contexts. Moreover, the moderating role of children’ s sex in these reciprocal relationships remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, this study employed a cross-lagged design to investigate the prospective reciprocal associations between parenting styles and children’ s EF, as well as the moderating effects of children’ s sex in China. Data were collected in two waves, eight months apart, from children aged 3–6 years and their parents. The results indicated that (1) authoritative parenting and preschool children’ s EF showed reciprocal longitudinal associations, (2) authoritarian parenting and children’ s EF exhibited mutual predictive relationships, and (3) child sex showed suggestive moderation of the association between authoritarian parenting and children’ s EF. Specifically, EF deficits positively predicted authoritarian parenting style among boys. Conversely, authoritarian parenting positively predicted EF deficits among girls. Sex did not moderate the reciprocal relationship between authoritative parenting and children’ s EF. Practice or Policy: These findings may offer a reference for parents when responding to EF-related difficulties among preschool children of different sexes. Educational authorities could also consider strengthening home–school–community partnerships and providing brief, feasible parenting guidance.