Parenting Styles as Determinants of Psychopathological Symptoms among Nigerian In-School Adolescents

Abstract

The controversy concerning the extent to which parental influence matters to children’s psychological and behavioural growth continues. This study investigated the influence of parenting styles on psychopathological symptoms among in-school adolescents in Ogun State, South-western Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design method was utilized. One thousand and twenty-eight (1028) in-school adolescents with mean age ± SD of 15.30 ± 2.14, were drawn from ten secondary schools, and these responded to the Awaritefe Psychological Index (API) Form X, and the Scales for Parenting Style (SPS). A 52.1% prevalence of psychopathological symptoms was observed. A significant mean score difference was found between negligent parenting style and authoritarian parenting style in determining severities of psychopathological symptoms among adolescents. Responsive and control dimension of parenting style jointly predicted psychopathological symptoms (R2 = 0.01, F(2, 1025) = 4.36, p < 0.01). Gender significantly influenced general psychopathology [t(1026) = 2.27; p < 0.05]. The family type also had a significant influence on psychopathological symptoms. Participants from polygamous family setting reported higher psychopathological symptoms [t(1026) = −2.78, p < 0.01] than those from polygamous family settings. A balance between the control parenting style and the responsive parenting style is recommended.