Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body image

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate how different parental rearing styles (i.e., maternal and paternal) influence adolescent self-esteem, with specific emphasis on the mediating roles of body satisfaction and body attractiveness as core dimensions of body image. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey design was employed using a sample of 2,806 elementary school students aged 6 to 13 from two schools. Validated scales measured maternal and paternal rearing styles, body satisfaction, body attractiveness, and self-esteem. Pearson correlation analyses and path modeling were conducted to determine the direct and indirect effects of rearing styles on adolescent self-esteem, focusing on the multiple mediation pathways via body image dimensions. Findings: Results indicate that maternal rearing styles directly enhance self-esteem while also exerting positive indirect effects through improved body satisfaction and body attractiveness. In contrast, paternal rearing styles predominantly influence self-esteem indirectly through body satisfaction, without showing direct effects on body attractiveness or self-esteem. Further analysis confirms that both body satisfaction and body attractiveness jointly mediate the impact of parental rearing styles on adolescents’ self-esteem, revealing a multifaceted mediating mechanism. Implications: These findings underscore the importance of adopting nurturing, autonomy-supportive parenting strategies—especially maternal emotional warmth—to strengthen adolescents’ body image and foster a healthier sense of self-worth. Educators, parents, and policymakers can leverage these insights to design family-focused interventions and school programs that promote positive body image, ultimately contributing to adolescents’ psychological well-being. By emphasizing both maternal and paternal roles, stakeholders can more effectively safeguard and enhance adolescent self-esteem within diverse cultural contexts.