Relationship between Parenting Styles and Coping Behaviour among Adolescents of Chandigarh

Abstract

One of the most significant relationships in our lifetime is the one we form with our parents. From a child’s perspective, it is like a safe space they can return to whenever needed. A child having a healthy bond with their parents feels motivated to explore the world and demonstrates strong emotional character against challenges. When facing the numerous disappointments of life, how one learns to cope lays the foundation for how far they can go. Coping refers to the behaviours through which we ease self from a stress. The study investigated the relationship between parenting styles coping behaviour among the adolescents of Chandigarh. A sample of 100 school students was administered on the Perceived Parental Style scale (PPSS) and the Brief-COPE Inventory. Major findings showed parenting styles to be a significant predictor of coping behaviours at various levels. Problem- focused coping was found higher in adolescents with authoritative parenting, whereas perceived permissive parenting was positively associated with avoidant coping. Moreover, the use of both problem-focused coping and avoidant coping was evident in students coming from an authoritarian parenting background. Emotion-focused coping had no significant associations with parenting styles. Also, the study observed no gender differences in parenting styles and coping behaviours. Parental support with necessary control overall contributes to adaptive stress management in adolescents. It instils a stable and progressive individuality within them. Over-pampering and lack of discipline makes them a victim to their life’s adversities. Adolescents having a strict punitive upbringing also prefer problem resolution, but lacking the parental empathy can sometimes turn them completely avoidant as well. Considering the adolescent needs and challenges makes it a necessity for people around to actively guiding their adolescent children towards a balance between raging emotions and their complex realities. This points out to the need of filling the increasing gap between traditional opinions of society about what adolescents should do and the new-age adolescents’ aspirations for autonomy.