Associations between responsive and permissive parenting behavior and empathic behavior in children: The moderating role of sensory processing sensitivity.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the contribution of permissive and responsive parenting behavior to empathic behavior in children and to investigate the moderating effect of sensory processing sensitivity on these relationships. A total of 280 Dutch children (51.2% boys, M = 4.8 years) participated in this study. Data were gathered using web-based questionnaires filled in by the primary caregiver, to assess child temperament, parenting and child adjustment. We expected that permissive parenting behavior would predict lower levels of empathy, especially among children high on sensory processing sensitivity. However, results did not support these hypotheses: No such associations were found. We also expected that responsive parenting behavior would predict higher levels of empathy, especially among children high on sensory processing sensitivity. Results indicated that as parents showed more responsive parenting behavior, children indeed demonstrated more empathic behavior. Further, contrary to expectations based on the differential susceptibility hypothesis, responsive parenting behavior was most strongly associated with empathic behavior among children low on sensory processing sensitivity. According to this study, the lower the score on sensory processing sensitivity, the stronger the positive relationship between responsive parenting behavior and empathic behavior. Results do not correspond with the differential susceptibility hypothesis and raise the question whether being low or high on sensory processing sensitivity indicates susceptibility. More research is needed in the future to gain a wider and more valid view regarding this subject.