The Relationship between Parenting Style and Self-Esteem in Adolescents

Abstract

This article reviewed the effect of four parenting styles (i.e., authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and rejecting/neglectful parenting) on self-esteem and psychological outcomes in adolescents, such as well-being, life satisfaction, and school performance. It was found that parenting styles directly impact psychological outcomes. More specifically, a positive parenting style increases the life satisfaction and well-being of young adults. The results of this review also indicate the negative side of inappropriate parenting style, which increases adolescents' aggression. Aggression is a serious problem for adolescents, which normally leads them to be involved in criminal activities. Aggression might also cause mental health problems. Parents who are irresponsible are likely to increase the tendency of aggression in adolescents. Non-aggressive adolescents showed higher self-esteem than aggressive adolescents. Furthermore, the article also reviewed the relationship among self-esteem, parenting styles, and learning. Self-esteem serves as a mediator between parenting style and learning. The level of self-esteem increased by a positive parenting style can indirectly impact school performance, such as academic procrastination and self-regulated learning. A high level of self-esteem can decrease academic problems, and it also can facilitate the development of self-confidence, which is positively correlated with academic performance. However, previous studies did not investigate differences of this relationship in boys and girls. Future research should focus more on gender differences. This review can provide some guidance for the family education programs at school and relevant intervention studies.