A Correlational Study on Parenting Styles and Adjustment in Adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence is a period of significant transition and development, during which individuals may encounter various challenges. The influence of parenting styles and the quality of parent-child interactions have long been of interest in developmental and family psychology. Parenting styles are essential aspects of the family environment and are closely linked to the dynamics between parents and adolescents. The present study examined this relationship within an Indian sample, using a combination of convenience and random sampling methods. A total of 60 participants—adolescents aged 14 to 18 years and their mothers—were included. Data were collected via a Google Form using two standardized instruments: the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ; Robinson, Mandleco, Olsen, & Hart, 1995) and the Adjustment Inventory for School Students (Sinha & Singh, 1971). The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results indicated a statistically significant positive correlation between permissive parenting style and adolescent adjustment. However, authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles showed no statistically significant relationship with adolescent adjustment and were negatively correlated.