Parental Lying in the Netherlands and United States: Shifting Perspectives on Prevalence, Frequency, Lie Types, and Cross-Country Comparisons

• DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/pqy7t_v1
• Publication Date: 2025-04-26T05:33:01Z
• Authors: Ines Constance Lu...; Joyce Weeland; Marleen de Moor; Jennifer Marie Clegg; Katherine Rice Wa...; Nicole Lucassen; Rianne Kok
• Keywords: Lying

Parental lying to children is common. Yet, critical measurement issues, including lie frequency, variation in types, and challenges cross-country comparisons, remain underexplored. This study addressed these issues by examining the prevalence (whether parents lie) frequency (how often they of parental lying, overall across specific types (i.e., other-oriented, self-oriented, instrumental). Additionally, invariance items assessing was evaluated determine whether meaningful comparisons could be made between from Netherlands United States (U.S.).A total 109 122 U.S. with aged 6 16 completed an online questionnaire three on how tell lies. Chi-square tests examined differences types. Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (MGCFA) assessed invariance, followed latent means. Most both countries reported their children, though frequent rare. Significant emerged frequency. Full established, supporting comparisons. Comparisons revealed no significant tendencies groups. contributes a more nuanced understanding lying. The results highlight importance not only common is, but also it occurs, while distinguishing different findings suggest that are comparable item interpretation general tendencies.