PARENTING STYLES AS PERCEIVED BY MODEL AND PROBLEM ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

This study explored the effects of parenting styles on the behavioural outcome of adolescents. The basis of this research is the reality of increasing number of adolescents with behavioural problems in the social work agencies in Singapore. Consequently, the objective of this research is to provide a model of intervention for working with adolescents that might prove useful to practitioners. The two-phase design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Forty adolescents, between the ages of thirteen and seventeen participated in the study. Twenty were 'Model' students and twenty were 'Problem' students. The respondents were administered questionnaires to identify their parents' parenting styles. Four from this total sample were later selected for semi-structured in-depth interview. The study found that there was a concentration of 'Model' students in the permissive parenting style. Majority of the 'Problem' students were found to be in the authoritative parenting style. The proportion of 'Model' and 'Problem' students was equal in the authoritarian style and not significantly different in the neglectful style. Moreover, 'Problem' students were found to perceive paternal and maternal warmth as being lower and paternal and maternal control as being higher, compared to 'Model' students. Other factors that affect behavioural outcome were also identified in this study. They are teachers, peers: friends and classmates, self, media, availability of free time and negative role models. The implications of the study for social work practice as well as for policy­ making are also highlighted. Limitations and recommendations for future research are also discussed.