Between Care and Control: Adolescents’ Experiences of Parenting and Emotional–Behavioural Outcomes in Goa, India

Adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by substantial emotional, social, cognitive, and behavioural changes. Within this developmental context, parenting practices may function as important sources of emotional security and behavioural regulation, but may also be experienced as restrictive or psychologically controlling. Existing research has established associations between parenting dimensions and adolescent emotional and behavioural difficulties; however, much of the Indian literature has relied on quantitative measures and parent-reported outcomes. The present qualitative study was designed to explore adolescents’ own experiences and interpretations of parenting practices in Goa, India. A constructivist–interpretivist qualitative design was proposed, involving semi-structured individual interviews 34 adolescents aged 11–17 years recruited through purposive maximum-variation sampling. Interviews explored parental warmth, communication, monitoring, discipline, academic expectations, autonomy, control, emotional support, and adolescents perceived emotional and behavioural responses. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s approach. The study was expected to provide a nuanced understanding of how adolescents negotiate the boundary between parental care and control. Particular attention was given to the possibility that the same parenting behaviour may be experienced differently depending on context, communication, perceived intention, and adolescent autonomy. The study may contribute culturally grounded evidence for school counsellors, parents, educators, and adolescent mental-health professionals in India.