The mediating role of parenting attitudes in the effect of mindful parenting on emotional and behavioral difficulties and self-regulation skills of adolescents aged 12–16

The aim of this study is to examine the mediating role of parenting styles in the relationship between mindful parenting and the emotional and behavioral difficulties and self-regulation skills experienced by adolescents aged 12–16. The study was conducted with 196 adolescents aged 12–16 and their parents (196 mothers and 196 fathers). Participating mothers and fathers completed the Sociodemographic Information Form, the Mindful Parenting Scale (MPS), and the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Styles Scale (MAPSS). Adolescents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire – Adolescent Form (SDQ-A) and the Self-Regulation Skills Scale for Adolescents (SRSS-A). According to the findings of the study, the mediating effect of parenting styles was not found to be significant in the relationship between mothers' mindful parenting levels and adolescents' emotional and behavioral difficulties and self-regulation skills. However, the mediating effect of fathers' parenting styles was found to be significant in the relationship between fathers' mindful parenting levels and adolescents' self-regulation skills. This mediating effect occurred through fathers' adoption of comprehensive positive parenting styles. Fathers' mindful parenting attitudes strengthened their comprehensive positive parenting styles, and these positive parenting styles significantly predicted adolescents' self-regulation skills in this age group.In conclusion, when the findings of this study are evaluated, it is thought that the results may shed light on an important area of research focusing on parent–child relationships and provide significant contributions to both the national and international literature.