This study examines autonomy incongruences—situations where parents grant either less autonomy than youth desire (deficits) or more than desired (surpluses)—among 876 Dutch youth aged 16-25. While most research focuses on deficits, this study captures the full range of autonomy mismatches during the transition to adulthood. Findings reveal that youth with an immigration background were more likely to perceive both deficits and surpluses compared to peers without such a background, reflecting considerable diversity in autonomy negotiation within immigrant families. Deficits were associated with more conflicts and less closeness with parents, whereas slight surpluses were not detrimental to relationship quality. Notably, the link between autonomy incongruences and closeness was weaker for youth with an immigration background, suggesting resilience in maintaining emotional bonds despite experiencing more deficits. Collectivistic values did not explain this buffering effect. These findings highlight the importance of parents’ sensitivity to youth’s autonomy desires and challenge simplified narratives about parenting in immigrant families.
OUISEARCH 