Final answer:
The parenting dimension referring to affection and warmth is responsiveness. Baumrind's four parenting styles demonstrate the varying outcomes for children based on the balance of responsiveness and demands placed by parents, with the authoritative style being most encouraged in Western cultures but cultural context can alter what is considered effective.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dimension that refers to the amount of affection, warmth, and caring a parent provides to a child is responsiveness. Diana Baumrind's research indicates that responsive parenting is integral to nurturing a healthy self-concept in children.
Baumrind identified four main parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and uninvolved. Authoritative parenting, which combines responsiveness with reasonable demands and consistent limits, is associated with children who tend to have high self-esteem and social skills. Conversely, an uninvolved parenting style can lead to children who are emotionally withdrawn and at risk of negative outcomes like poor academic performance and substance abuse.
It's also important to consider that effective parenting styles can vary as a function of culture. For example, authoritarian parenting is as beneficial as authoritative parenting in some ethnic communities. Thus, context and cultural values play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of a parenting style.