When Psychological Control Erases the Self: Examining Convergence Communication as Parental Control

This study examines how coercive parental communication, specifically parental psychological control (PPC) and convergence communication (CC), and differentiation of self are associated with psychological well-being among undergraduate emerging adults. Results indicated a significant positive association between PPC and CC. Mediation analyses revealed that differentiation of self (DSI) mediated the relationship between CC and negative self-talk, such that greater convergence was associated with lower differentiation and, in turn, higher negative self-talk. However, CC did not mediate the relationship between PPC and DSI, suggesting that psychological control may be associated with differentiation through processes not fully captured by convergence communication. Moderation analyses demonstrated that DSI moderated the relationship between negative self-talk and suicidality, such that the positive association between negative self-talk and suicidality was weaker among individuals with higher differentiation. These findings highlight the cognitive/emotional risks associated with power-imbalanced family communication and the importance of supporting differentiation during emerging adulthood.