Reframing Parenting and Psychological Harm The Influence of Parenting Styles and Psychological Maltreatment on Adolescents' Psychological Adjustment

This study examines the influence of parenting styles and psychological maltreatment on the psychological adjustment of adolescents in Khanewal, Pakistan. Grounded in Parental Acceptance-Rejection Theory, the research explores how authoritative, authoritarian, and neglectful parenting, as well as psychological maltreatment, shape adolescent mental health outcomes. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed, utilizing a purposive sample of 321 secondary school students (160 boys and 161 girls) aged between 13 and 18 years. Participants completed four standardized instruments: the PSDQ (Parenting Styles and Dimension Questionnaire), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Short Dark Triad scale (SD3), and the Family Functionality Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that authoritative parenting was significantly associated with higher levels of psychological adjustment, whereas authoritarian and neglectful parenting styles showed significant negative associations. Psychological maltreatment emerged as the most powerful negative predictor of adolescent adjustment, even after controlling for parenting styles. These findings align with global and regional literature, highlighting the deleterious effects of emotional abuse and the protective role of nurturing responsive parenting. The study contributes to the limited empirical research on parenting practices and adolescent well-being in South Asian contexts, particularly within patriarchal and emotionally conservative societies. It underscores the importance of culturally sensitive psychoeducational programs aimed at fostering positive parenting practices and mitigating the impact of psychological maltreatment. The results advocate for greater recognition of emotional abuse within both academic discourse and public health policy and call for collaborative interventions involving parents, educators, and mental health professionals.