Parenting styles and fertility intention: Mediating effects of childbearing beliefs and psychological resilience

Abstract

China’s declining fertility rate is partly due to low fertility intention among childbearing population. To understand family influence
on young people’s fertility intention and its underlying mechanisms, this study examines how parenting styles (authoritarian vs.
permissive) affect Chinese college students’ fertility intention, with traditional childbearing beliefs and resilience as mediators. Data
were collected from 839 participants (Age: M = 21.1, SD = 1.7 years) using structured questionnaires. Logistic regression found
that a positive correlation between permissive parenting style and fertility intention, with authoritarian parenting having no impact.
Mediation analysis showed the association between permissive parenting style and fertility intention was fully mediated through
resilience ( = 0.0, 95%CI = [0.0,0.1]) and greater childbearing beliefs ( = 0.0, 95%CI = [0.0,0.1]). The findings indicate that
permissive parenting is related to higher fertility intention in youth via resilience and childbearing beliefs. Promoting positive family
environments and permissive parenting may enhance childbearing intention.