Perceived Parenting Styles and Mental Well-Being Among University Students

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between perceived parenting styles—Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive, and Neglectful—and the mental well-being of university students. It aimed to determine which parenting style best predicts stress, anxiety, and self-esteem outcomes. Using a quantitative, cross-sectional design, a sample of 450 undergraduate students (M = 20.1, SD = 1.8) from a large public university completed the Parenting Style Questionnaire (PSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Regression and ANOVA analyses revealed that the Authoritative parenting style significantly predicted higher self-esteem (β = .42, p < .001) and lower stress (β = –.35, p < .001), whereas the Neglectful style predicted increased stress (β = .51, p < .001) and reduced self-esteem (β = –.29, p < .01). ANOVA confirmed significant differences in self-esteem across the four parenting styles, with Authoritative parenting linked to the most positive outcomes. These findings underscore the continuing influence of early family dynamics on university students’ psychological adjustment, providing implications for family education and student counseling programs.