THE IMPACT OF POSITIVE PARENTING ON THE SELF-ESTEEM OF ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the different types of parenting styles used by parents nowadays and how it affects the self-esteem of adolescents. It also attempted to assess the relation of positive parenting with an adolescent’s level of self-esteem. The sample of the study consisted of 200 adolescents (100 males &100 females) with an age range between 16-18 years. Data was collected through questionnaire based instruments and demographic datasheet. Non-probability; convenient sampling technique was used to collect the data. Parental Authority Questionnaire developed by Dr.John.R.B (1991) was used to assess parental authority or disciplinary practices from the child’s point view while Rifai’s (1999) self-esteem scale was used to examine adolescent’s level of selfesteem. Result of the current study revealed that an adolescent‘s level of self-esteem differs with respect to differences in Parenting styles used by parents. The findings further indicated that positive or authoritative parenting is associated with more desirable child behavior and better self-esteem as
compared to the other two parenting styles. The results also showed a highly significant main effect of gender on adolescent’s self-esteem and found significant differences between male and female adolescents on the level of self-esteem. The present study affirmed that parents are the role models
for their children and exert a powerful control on child’s personality and behavior a. The study highlights that parent-child relationships are among the strongest predictors of an adolescent’s level of self-esteem and parental supports, encouragement, praise, and physical affection, is positively associated with increased level of self-esteem in adolescents.