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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.7, No.12

Publication Date: December 25, 2020

DOI:10.14738/assrj.712.9279. Manuel, A. M., & Asuquo, N. (2020). Relationship Between Parenting Styles And Subjective Well-Being Of Undergraduate Youths In

The University Of Port Harcourt. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(12) 599-610

Relationship Between Parenting Styles And Subjective Well-Being Of

Undergraduate Youths In The University Of Port Harcourt

Manuel, Amininiye Macgregor (PhD)

Department of Educational Psychology Guidance &Counseling, University of Port Harcourt

Ntiedo Asuquo (MEd)

Department of Educational Psychology Guidance &Counseling, University of Port Harcourt

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the relationship between parenting styles and

subjective well-being among undergraduate youths in the University of

Port Harcourt using the correlational research design. The study was

guided by five research questions and their corresponding null

hypotheses. The sample for the study was composed of 400

undergraduate students drawn using the purposive sampling

technique. Two instruments were used for data collection which were

the parenting style inventory and the subjective well-being inventory.

The instruments were assessed for reliability and validity and were

shown to be suitable. Data analysis was done using linear regression and

multiple regression for answering the research questions, while ANOVA

associated with linear and multiple regression were used to test the null

hypotheses. Result showed that authoritative parenting style had the

highest independent prediction on the subjective well- being of youths,

while authoritarian had the least independent prediction. On the basis

of the result obtained, it was recommended that parents adopt the

authoritative parenting style when dealing with their children so as to

achieve an optimal state of subjective well-being.

Keywords: Parenting Style, youths, subjective well-being, undergraduate

INTRODUCTION

Parenting has been seen as both a blessing and a privilege, with most religious and cultural texts

establishing codes, standards, admonitions and counsel on the best ways on how to be a good parent

and how to meet the responsibility of proper nurturing of children. Virtually every cultural and

religious civilizations in history, have conceptualized parenting as a responsibility to be cherished

and worthy of celebrations. Little wonder, that most societies consider parenting as the hall mark

of maturity and the gateway to other responsibilities and privileges of adulthood.

While parenting, like most subjects with universal and sustained interest, has continued to take the

front burner of public discussion, what it is and how best to go about it has remained an issue of

perennial concern. Various suggestions and guidelines abound on the best approach to being a

parent. This is neither surprising nor novel, due to the significant role parenting has, and can play,

in nurturing individuals and building societies. It is therefore on this basis that both public opinion

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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol.7, Issue 12, December-2020

and scholarly research have shown that parenting is an essential component of individual and

societal development as it is often associated with positive outcome in children and adults including

cognitive, emotional and social competencies (O’Connor & Scott, 2007)).

One of the core characteristics of parenting is the level of dynamism parents display when they first

discover that they are likely to be parents. According to Viana and Welsh (2011), it is difficult and

almost impossible to find parents, who adopt similar parenting structures, or styles across various

ages of their children development. As infants grow to become children, and children develop into

adolescents and adults, parents adopt various approaches, structures and form in the discharge of

their parental duties. As such, the concept of parenting has failed to garner a unified understanding

or definition among scholars and practitioners.

While differences in conceptualization and operationalization remain, the concept of parenting is

something most individuals are aware of, and therefore, many opinions abound on the best way of

achieving exemplary parenting. Specifically, this has resulted in a plethora of strategies and

approaches that define excellent parenting. Within the psychological perspective, various models

and theories of parenting styles have been proposed and considered for scholarly investigations.

Irrespective of this seeming confusion, attempt is made to define the concept of parenting styles.

Eriega (2006) opined that parenting is the totality of strategies and approaches adopted by parents

in the rearing of their children. Similarly, Akhtar (2012) defined parenting styles as the broad

patterns of childrearing practices, values and behaviours that determines the power, relationship

and expectations between parents and their children. Within the context of this study, parenting

styles are conceptualized as the totality of behaviours, strategies, standard and values utilized by

parents in the process of rearing their children and socializing them into societal customs and

practices.

As previously stated, there exist a variety of strategies and models suggested as being the best in

effective parenting. One of such models, which is the focus of this paper, is the Baumrind (1991)

model of parenting style. In developing this model of parenting style, Baumrind (1991) conducted

a study consisting of interviews and observations with children and parents and identified four

parenting styles based on levels of demand and responsiveness. These parenting styles are

authoritarian, authoritative, uninvolved, and permissive.

Authoritarian parenting style is the adoption of a rigid and strict pattern of rearing children. In

adopting this parenting style, parents establish strict set of rules and regulations and required

utmost obedience without questioning on the part of the children. In a situation where children

flouts the established rules, immediate and harsh punishment is given to enforce compliance.

Permissive parenting style refers to the parenting style where little demands are made of children.

Little or no attempts is made to control children’s behaviour and less guidelines on what behaviour

is considered appropriate are given. Nwankwo (2010) asserted that permissive parents permit

their children to act as they please with the expectation that such will empower the children to be

independent and self-reliant.

Authoritative parenting style falls within the spectrum of authoritarian and permissive parenting

style. Parents here adopt a flexible and democratic style of parenting by providing warm guidance

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Manuel, A. M., & Asuquo, N. (2020). Relationship Between Parenting Styles And Subjective Well-Being Of Undergraduate Youths In The University Of

Port Harcourt. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 7(12) 599-610

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.712.9279 601

and reasonable control for their children while providing them with opportunities to decide how to

handle their personal responsibilities and challenges in life. Authoritative parents encourage

discussions about family rules, as well as provide independence, autonomy and freedom, while

encouraging children to think about their lives and the consequences of their behaviour. Uninvolved

parents are not warm and do not place any demands on children. They minimize their interaction

time, and, in some cases, are uninvolved to the point of being neglectful. Uninvolved parents are

indifferent to their children needs, whereabouts, or experiences at school or with peers. Uninvolved

parents invoke such phrases as, “I don’t care where you go,” or “why should I care what you do?”

Uninvolved parents rarely consider their children’s input in decisions and they generally do not

want to be bothered by their need (Echedom, Nwankwo, & Nwankwo, 2012).

Considering the variations in the adopted parenting styles, Wilson (2004) posits that parenting

styles are believed to either lead to a child’s social success and overall happiness, or otherwise.

Though other factors may account as well, parenting style play important role in the psychological

health of children including their subjective well-being, especially as they develop into adolescents

and then adulthood. While the link between parenting styles and outcome of children has received

considerable attention in the empirical literature, there is a dearth of literature on the relationship

between parenting style and subjective well-being of youths. It is therefore this observation that

informed the conduct of this study to ascertain the extent to which parenting styles, independently

and collectively, are related with the subjective well-being of youths in the University of Port

Harcourt.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The University of Port Harcourt is a prime study destination for tertiary education for students and

therefore has attracted a large number of individuals who are in their youthful age. However, the

University of Port Harcourt has been on the news for a very long time for reported acts of violence

and students protest. The institution has been embroiled in violent clashes involving different cult

groups. Recently, students of the institution engaged in a massive protest that resulted in the loss

of a final year students and the destruction of life and property. This is just one of the many cases of

restive youth activities in the area.

All the above acts portend great negative outcome for the institution because some parents may be

reluctant in sending their children to the school. In addition students’ academic activities may be

interrupted which may further push them into activities that are deleterious to their optimal

personal and social development including their subjective well-being. This is troublesome for the

future of the youth and the society in general as these youths may grow up to become poorly

adjusted adult. To be able to provide needed solution to the menace of youth restiveness, it is

necessary to understand the factors related to it including parenting style and subjective well-being.

The problem of this study therefore is to investigate the relationship between parenting styles and

subjective well-being of youths in the University of Port Harcourt.

Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between parenting styles and subjective well- being of youths. Specifically, this study seeks to:

identify the relationship between authoritarian parenting style and subjective well-being of youths

in University of Port Harcourt.