How do family members influence political attitudes?

Researchers often rely on either self-reported measures or informant-based perceptions. Our study compares these approaches using voting intentions within families.

We analyzed data from the Parent-Child Socialization Study (PCSS), surveying 2,085 mothers and fathers in Flanders, Belgium.

On one hand, we examined correspondence based solely on parental perception of children's voting intentions.

On the other hand, we considered self-reported measures obtained directly from all family members separately.

Our findings reveal significant differences between these two measurement strategies. Using perceived only versus polling everyone could lead researchers to reach different or even opposite conclusions.