Disentangling Autonomy as Volition and Autonomy as Independence: Using a Person-Centered Approach to Predict Youth’s Well-Being. Examining Immigration Background and Cultural Values.

Preregistered study; in preparation.

Autonomy is often used to describe two distinct concepts: volition (acting from authentic choice) and independence (making decisions without parental involvement). This study disentangles these dimensions using Latent Profile Analysis among 857 Dutch youth aged 16-25. We expect to identify four profiles—Volitional Independence, Volitional Dependence, Pressured Independence, and Pressured Dependence—and examine how immigration background and endorsement of individualistic and collectivistic values predict profile membership. Drawing on Self-Determination Theory and research on cultural diversity, we hypothesize that volitional profiles will show higher well-being than pressured profiles, regardless of whether youth prefer independence or dependence. This distinction is crucial in multicultural societies: preferences for parental involvement should not be misinterpreted as developmental immaturity when they reflect genuine values rather than external pressure.