Informational support would be advising a child not to do something that would probably result in unwanted consequences—but for the child’s benefit. A scenario like preventing a child from staying out too late, and explaining to them the dangers of doing so. 

Example of Informational Parental Support

High levels of parental support is linked to positively psychology results, like positive self-beliefs, and lower levels of internalizing symptoms. The support behaviors as a “buffer” from stress, oftentimes. It allows for higher self-esteem in their adolescence, and results in higher relational and occupational satisfaction in adulthood. 

Positive, Lasting Outcomes of Strong Parental Support

Information about various topics, often times regarding material of academic nature, and guidance, or advice, about life.

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Parental support is positive behavior towards a child, like praise, encouragement, and physical affection. These are indications that help the child acknowledge they’re accepted, appreciated, and loved. 

Parental Support

Chentsova Dutton, Y. E., Choi, I.-J., & Choi, E. (2020, March 3). Perceived parental support and adolescents' positive self-beliefs and levels of distress across four countries. FrontiersIn. Retrieved August 30, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00353/full#B12 

Perceived Parental Support and Adolescents’ Positive Self-Beliefs and Levels of Distress Across Four Countries

Expressions of love, empathy, warmth, and concern for a child’s well-being. 

Emotional Parental Support

Informational Parental Support

Material, or financial support, given to the child as needed.

Tangible Parental Support

The choice and effectiveness of these forms of support were found to vary by gender, their goals, and the controllability of the problem. Researched cultures would assist to a greater extent if their child’s goal aligned with a goal that they find attainable, or profitable. Although, cultural differences in terms of affection shown, by gender, varied. 

Cross-Cultural Similarities and Differences with Parental Support

A study researching Cross-Cultural parental care between American, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean adolescence found that American and Chinese participants received greater emotional support (on average, of course) than Korean and Japanese participants. In informational support, Americans received the greatest support, then Chinese, Koreans, and finally, Japanese. Finally, for financial/tangible support, Chinese adolescence received the most support, while Americans had the least (Korean and Japanese children were the same, in the middle).

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