The mediating role of parentification in the effect of perceived abuse by adolescents from their parents on self-esteem

Abstract

Background: Parentification is a relational process that leads to role confusion within a family system, where a parent imposes their roles on the child without the child's consent. Because the roles and responsibilities are placed on the child without their permission, this situation can be considered a form of emotional abuse. In the literature, the effects of parentification on self-esteem are still debated, with findings suggesting both positive and negative outcomes. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether parentification has a mediating role in the effect of emotional abuse perceived by adolescents from their parents on self-esteem. Participants and setting: The sample consisted of 702 adolescents aged 14–18 living in Adapazarı, Sakarya. Methods: The Adolescent Parentification Form, the Perceived Emotional Abuse from Mother and Father Scale, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used in the study. A three-step hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted using SPSS to examine the effects of emotional abuse and parentification as predictors of self-esteem. Results: The study revealed that parentification had a statistically significant mediating role in the relationship between the level of emotional abuse perceived from the father and the level of self-esteem. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated the importance of father involvement in child development. Especially for adolescents, parents are important role models. Therefore, the healthy progression of the adolescent-parent relationship is crucial for the adolescent to develop positive self-esteem.