Perceived Influence of Parental Control on Adolescents and Young Adults in Identity Formation

Abstract

Identity formation is a key developmental task during adolescence and young adulthood and is influenced by various familial and social factors. The present study examined the relationship between perceived parental psychological control and identity development among urban adolescents and young adults. A quantitative correlational research design was employed, with a sample of 200 participants aged 18–25 years from urban areas, of which 199 valid responses were analysed. Data were collected using the Psychological Control Scale  Youth Self-Report  and the Dimensions of Identity Development Scale . Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation, and Simple Linear Regression were used for data analysis. The results revealed a weak but statistically significant positive relationship between perceived parental psychological control and identity development . Regression analysis further indicated that perceived parental psychological control significantly predicted identity development, accounting for 4.2% of the variance. These findings suggest that although perceived parental psychological control has a measurable association with identity development, its influence is limited, indicating that identity formation is shaped by multiple interacting personal, social, and contextual factors.