Exploring the Impact of Parenting Styles on the Well-Being of McMaster University Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Parenting styles and their influence on children’s well-being have been a longstanding topic of interest in the field of social psychology. Although many studies indicate positive associations between responsive parenting and well-being and negative associations between demanding parenting and well-being, little research analyzes this correlation in emerging adults. The current study used a mixed-methods approach to examine the extent to which caregiver responsiveness and demandingness impacted the psychological well-being of McMaster University students, using self-acceptance, positive relations with others, environmental mastery, purpose in life, personal growth, and autonomy, Carol Ryff's (1989) six dimensions of well-being, to understand psychological well-being (Ryff, 1989). Participants (N = 57) were primarily Caucasian female students in their fourth year who completed quantitative scales and a qualitative open-ended question in an online anonymous survey. This survey measured participants' ratings of their caregivers' responsiveness and demandingness, as well as their ratings on the six dimensions of well-being. Our findings revealed that caregiver responsiveness was positively correlated with overall well-being, autonomy, environmental mastery, and personal growth. Caregiver demandingness revealed no significant relationships with well-being. This study serves to fill the gap in existing literature regarding how parenting styles impact the well-being of emerging adults.