EFFECTS OF DIFFERENCES IN PARENTING STYLES ON COUPLE DISTRESS AND CHILDREN'S PERCEPTIONS OF FAMILY SUPPORT

Abstract

Research has been conducted on different aspects of parenting and how it affects both the couple's relationship and the children involved. The literature suggests that an authoritative parenting style is most optimal for children's outcomes contributing to better school achievement, adjustment, and self-efficacy, and proposes that the quality of the parents' couple relationship affects the experiences of the child(ren). The current study, utilizing a clinical sample of 37 families, explored the relationship between differences in parenting styles and the child's perception of family support and the differences in parenting styles and the couple's distress level. No significant relationships were found among differences in parenting styles and a child's perception of family support. One significant relationship was found among differences in the permissive parenting style and mother's level of relationship distress and father's level of relationship distress. The possible meanings of these findings for this sample are discussed.