The Relationship between Parenting Styles and Self-esteem among Adolescents: A Case of Zimunya High School (Manicaland)

The study sought to determine the relationship between parenting styles and self-esteem among adolescents in Zimunya. The respondents were 98 students who were drawn from Form 4 and 6 classes, in the age range of 16–18 years old. Parental Authority Questionnaire was used to determine the parenting styles and the Rosenberg Self Esteem Questionnaire was used to determine self esteem. Results indicated a positive correlation between authoritative parenting style and self esteem, negative correlation between authoritarian parenting style and self esteem, authoritative parenting style being the most significant style used by parents of the students. The paper shows that parenting styles have a significant role in the development of self-esteem in individuals, hence the significant positive relationship. The study recommends that parents be equipped with knowledge on the effects of the parenting styles on the development of self-esteem and skills appropriate to the needs and development of their adolescent children.