Parenting Styles as Predictors of Mental Well-Being among Adolescents in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Adolescence is a phase of development marked by significant physical, emotional and cognitive changes. During this time, the family environment plays a central role. This paper therefore examined how parental styles predict mental well-being among adolescents in Ogun State, Nigeria, using the survey research design. A sample of 347 adolescents was selected through the multi-stage sampling technique. Instruments used for data collection were the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) and Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS). Two hypotheses were formulated and tested by means of the multiple regression analysis at the .05 level of significance. Results revealeda significant combined influence of parenting styles on the mental well-being(F(4,342) = 15.413, p < .0005), significant relative positive influences of authoritative (β = .207, t = 13.106, p < .0005), authoritarian (β = .185, t = 10.621, p < .0005) and indulgent (β = .138, t = 8.273, p < .0005) parenting styles on the mental well-being and a significant negative influence of neglectful parenting style (β = -.115, t = 5.462, p < .0005), significant relationships between authoritative parenting style and mental well-being (r = .207, p < .05), authoritarian parenting style and mental well-being (r = .185, p < .05), indulgent parenting style and mental well-being (r = .138, p < .05) and neglectful parenting style and mental well-being (r = -.115, p < .05). It was subsequently recommended, among other things, that educational programmes and workshops should be organized to promote authoritative parenting style.