Examining the relationship between perceived parental attitudes and the scale of life satisfaction of 9th and 11th grade students

In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between the perceived parental attitude and the life satisfaction levels of 9th and 11th grade high school students. Research was conducted with multiple external variables to see whether the parenting styles is a determinant for children's life satisfaction or not, and if it is, how? Data were collected from 9th and 11th high school students through questionnaires on quantitative research methods. Students were given a questionnaire consisting of personal information form, perceived parental attitude scale and satisfaction with life scale. Perceived parental attitude scale has 26 items and each were answered for mother and father sperately by each student. Then each item were graded differently according to mother and father columns. Reliability coefficients of perceived parental attitude scale used in the research were found as 0.83 for mothers and 0,88 for fathers; it is 0,88 for the satisfaction with life scale which has 5 items. According to the findings of research analysis; it was determined that there is a meaningful relationship between perceived parental attitude and childrens' life satisfaction level, which also supports the reseacrh hypothesis. It came out that if parents have democratic attitude towards their children, children's life satisfaction level increases; but if parents have authoritative attitude towards their children, children's life satisfaction level dicreases. Some variables which may effect or shape parents' attitudes towards their children and some other variables which may effect the children's life satisfaction level were also included into the analysis of this meaningful relationship. Key Words: Psychological well-being, Satisfaction with life, Adolescence, Perceived parental attitude