Effect of Perceived Parenting Styles and Child Abuse Perpetrates by Parents on Psychological Well-being among School-Age Children.

Abstract

Background: Perceived parenting styles and child abuse perpetrates by parents had many effects on psychological wellbeing of school age children. Moreover, there were negative consequences on school age children caused by negative parenting styles that can increase level of child abuse by parents on school age children. Aim of study: This study aimed to investigate the effect of perceived parenting styles and child abuse perpetrates by parents on psychological wellbeing among school age children. Study design: Descriptive correlational research design was utilized to achieve the aim of the study. Setting: This study was conducted at primary schools in Benha city, Qalyubia Governorate. Study subjects: A cluster representative sample of (340) child from fifth and sixth primary grades students. Tools of Data collection: Four tools were used: Tool 1: Structured Interview Questionnaire, Tool 2: Perceived parenting style Questionnaire Tool 3: Child Abuse Questionnaire and Tool 4: Psychological wellbeing scale for children. Results: (51.2%) of the studied children perceive their parents as authoritarian parent. While (34.7%) of them perceives their parents as authoritative parent. Moreover, (46.5%) of the studied children experienced low child abuse from their parents, (44.4%) of them experienced moderate child abuse and (8.8%) experienced high child abuse. Furthermore, (52.9%) of the studied children had moderate level of total psychological wellbeing, (24.7%) had high level of total psychological wellbeing and (22.4%) had low level of total psychological wellbeing. Conclusion: There was a highly statistically significant positive correlation between total student’s perception towards parenting style and total exposure to child abuse from their parents. Moreover, there was a highly statistically significant negative correlation between children’s perception towards parenting style and their total psychological wellbeing. Moreover, there was a highly statistically significant negative correlation between children’s exposure to abuse from their parents and their total psychological wellbeing. Recommendations: A psycho-educational program should be conducted about positive parenting to promote parenting competencies and skills and reduce child abuse and its effect in psychological wellbeing among school age children.