Parenting styles and adolescents' self-esteem in Brazil

Psychol Rep. 2007 Jun;100(3 Pt 1):731-45. doi: 10.2466/pr0.100.3.731-745.

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between parenting styles and self-esteem among 1,239 11- to 15-yr.-old Brazilian adolescents (54% girls; M age= 13.4 yr., SD= 1.4). Teenagers' families were classified into 1 of 4 groups (Authoritative, Authoritarian, Indulgent, or Neglectful) based on adolescents' answers to the ESPA29 Parental Socialization Scale. Participants completed the AF5 Multidimensional Self-Esteem Scale which appraises five dimensions: Academic, Social, Emotional, Family, and Physical. Analyses showed that Brazilian adolescents from Indulgent families scored equal (Academic and Social) or higher (Family) in Self-esteem than adolescents from Authoritative families. Adolescents from Indulgent families scored higher than adolescents from Authoritarian and Neglectful families in four Self-esteem dimensions, Academic, Social, Family, and Physical. Adolescents from Authoritative families scored higher than adolescents from Authoritarian and Neglectful families in three Self-esteem dimensions, Academic, Social, and Family. These results suggest that Authoritative parenting is not associated with optimum self-esteem in Brazil.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attitude / ethnology*
  • Brazil
  • Child
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Parenting*
  • Self Concept*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires