IMPACT OF PARENTAL COMPARISON CULTURE ON ADOLESCENTS MENTAL HEALTH AND SELF WORTH IN URBAN INDIAN FAMILIES

Abstract

Parental comparison culture, which is primarily motivated by academic rivalry and collectivist ideals, is quite common in urban Indian homes. It is defined as comparing children's skills, accomplishments, and behaviour to peers or social norms. Adolescence is especially vulnerable to these parental influences because it is a crucial time for the development of identity and self-esteem. The goal of this study is to investigate how parental comparison culture affects teenage self-esteem and mental health in metropolitan Indian environments. The goals are to determine how parental comparison affects self-esteem, how it affects anxiety, stress, and depression, and how gender and socioeconomic status moderate this relationship. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, measures of anxiety, stress, and depression, and a parental comparison scale were among the standardised tools used to gather data from teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19 in this quantitative, cross-sectional study design. The associations between the variables were examined using statistical methods including regression analysis and correlation. The results show that teenagers with higher levels of unfavourable parental comparison had significantly poorer self-esteem and more psychological discomfort. While positive or uplifting comparisons have comparatively weaker impacts, frequent negative comparisons lead to feelings of inadequacy, diminished self-worth, and increased emotional issues. The study also shows that the degree of these consequences is influenced by gender and socioeconomic level. Overall, the study underscores the significance of parenting techniques in the development of adolescents and stresses the necessity of raising parental awareness of the psychological dangers of excessive comparison. The results have applications for therapies, counselling techniques, and awareness campaigns that promote better parent-child connections and enhance the wellbeing of adolescents.