Feeling Worse, Feeling More Overprotected: An Experience Sampling Study Among Adolescents

Parental overprotection is often blamed for rising youth emotional problems; yet evidence on everyday processes is limited. This 7-day Experience Sampling study examined within-person linkages between perceived overprotection and adolescent affect. Adolescents (N=143; Mage=15.8, age range=11-18; 64% girls, 92% Dutch/Belgian) provided momentary reports on overprotection (intrusion, unnecessary worry, unneeded help) and affect. Preregistered Dynamic Structural Equation Models showed within-person associations between perceived overprotection and negative (not positive) affect. Negative affect predicted more overprotection several hours later. Overprotection predicted increased concurrent (but not later) negative affect, except for ‘unneeded help’, which was reciprocally associated with fear. These findings guide future research on adolescents’ affective antecedents of experienced overprotection and identifying when, for whom, and which aspects are harmful rather than protective.