The Role of Parenting Styles in Shaping Child Emotional Development

Abstract

This study investigated the role of parenting styles in shaping children’s emotional development through a mixed-methods design that combined quantitative modeling with qualitative exploration. Data were collected from 200 families across diverse socio-economic and cultural contexts. Parenting styles were assessed using the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), while children’s emotional outcomes were measured with standardized instruments including the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Emotional Quotient Inventory: Youth Version (EQ-i:YV). Regression analysis demonstrated that authoritative parenting was the strongest positive predictor of resilience, empathy, and emotional regulation, whereas authoritarian parenting significantly correlated with heightened anxiety and lower self-esteem. Permissive parenting was associated with increased expressiveness but poor self-control, while neglectful parenting posed the most severe risks, predicting emotional withdrawal and maladjustment. Qualitative interviews provided nuanced insights, revealing that children in authoritative households reported greater emotional security and autonomy, whereas those in neglectful families expressed feelings of detachment and instability. The integration of statistical findings and thematic narratives confirmed the multifaceted influence of parenting, highlighting cultural and contextual moderators. Overall, the study concludes that authoritative parenting fosters the healthiest emotional trajectories, while authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful styles contribute to varying degrees of vulnerability. These findings underscore the necessity of culturally sensitive interventions and educational programs that equip parents with effective strategies to nurture emotionally secure and resilient children.