Examining the relationships between perceived parental attitudes and psychological symptoms, well-being and psychological control in adolescents

The aim of this research is to examine relationship between parental attitudes and psychological symptoms, well-being, and psychological control. The sample of the study consists of 562 high school students (323 girls, 239 boys) aged between 13 and 18, attending schools in Çermik and Çüngüş districts of Diyarbakır. Participants were administered a Demographic Information Form, the Leuven Perceived Parenting Scale (LPPS), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Five-Dimensional Well-Being Scale for Adolescents (EPOCH), and the Psychological Control Scale (PCS). In order to test the data obtained from the study, Pearson correlation analysis, independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regression analysis were used. It was found perceived parental attitudes, psychological symptoms, psychological control, and well-being happiness dimension differed according to gender. A significant relationship was found between parental attitudes and psychological symptoms, while no relationship was found between maternal sensitivity and somatization, and paternal autonomy support and hostility. There is a positive relationship between parental attitudes and well-being, particularly with the dimensions of parental sensitivity and autonomy support, and a negative relationship with the psychological control and behavioral control. The maternal psychological control dimension of parental attitudes is negatively associated with the optimism and relationality dimensions of the well-being scale. Perceived parental attitudes, particularly in the paternal psychological control dimension, are negatively associated only with the relationality dimension. In the relationship between parental attitudes and psychological control, a negative relationship was found with parental sensitivity and autonomy support, while a positive relationship was found in terms of psychological control and behavioral control. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that perceived parental attitudes predict psychological symptoms, well-being, and psychological control. The research findings have been discussed within the context of the literature, and recommendations have been made.