Value Transmission Between Parents and Children: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

People’s values may substantially influence major life domains, including career development, academic achievement, and mental and physical well-being. Due to the predictive power of values, considerable research has focused on understanding the process of intergenerational value transmission. This process constitutes a dynamic system characterized by multiple feedback mechanisms, reciprocal influences, and interactions, therefore, no single study can provide a comprehensive overview of the phenomenon. In the present study, we conducted a systematic literature review in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 protocol to examine research on parent-child value transmission. Literature searches were carried out in the JSTOR, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases, resulting in the identification of 207 journal articles, of which 25 met the inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Most studies approach value transmission through the concept of value similarity. Our findings indicate that value socialization depends on the accuracy of mutual value perceptions, the quality of the parent-child relationship, cultural and environmental factors (e.g., religion and peer groups), and genetic background. Some studies also suggest that children are capable of shaping their parents’ values. However, the majority of investigations rely on methodological approaches that conceptualize parents as transmitters of values and children as passive recipients. Future research should place greater emphasis on children’s reciprocal influence and on the role of sociodemographic variables in the value transmission process.