Perceived parenting styles, adolescents` self-esteem and achievement motivation

Abstract

The study examined parenting styles, self-esteem and achievement motivation to determine if there was a significant relationship between parenting styles and adolescents` self-esteem and achievement motivation. The study employed survey method and data were collected using adapted questionnaires which measured parenting styles, self-esteem and achievement motivation. The sample (n = 355) which was selected randomly consisted of 179 male and 176 female adolescents aged between 12- 15 years from 11 public lower secondary schools of Male`, Maldives. The data were analysed using frequencies, descriptive statistics and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. The fmdings of the study revealed that the most prevalent maternal and paternal parenting style among the adolescents` parents of Male` was authoritative parenting style. It also indicated that adolescents of Male` had average self-esteem and high achievement motivation. Results of the correlation analysis indicated that there was a statistically significant and positive relationship between parental authoritativeness and adolescents` self-esteem and achievement motivation. It further revealed that there was a statistically significant but negative relationship between parental authoritarianism, permissiveness and neglect, and adolescents` selfesteem and achievement motivation.