Perceived maternal and paternal psychological control by Ethiopian adolescents

Abstract

The study primarily aimed to investigate the association between adolescents’ perception of parental psychological control and the adolescents’ self-esteem, school adjustment and depressive symptoms. Data were collected from 809 adolescents (females = 381 & males = 428; mean age = 16.8 years, SD = 1.58 years) from Ethiopian public schools. The data were analysed for differences in perceptions of parental control by gender. Results suggest higher perceived level of parental control to be associated with comparatively lower self-esteem and school adjustment as well as higher depressive symptoms in boys rather than girls. Gender equitable use of psychological control likely will result in positive social outcomes for adolescents.