Predictors of Loneliness in Girls: Perceived Parenting Styles and Parent-Child Conflict Resolution Tactics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant professor of Counselling, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

2 Master of Science in Family Counseling, University of social welfare and rehabilitation sciences in Tehran, Iran

3 Associate professor of Counselling, Department of Counseling, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to predict loneliness based on the perceived parenting styles and parent-child conflict resolution tactics in adolescent girls.
Methods: The research used a descriptive-correlational method. The research participants included girls aged 14 to 18 in the lower and upper secondary schools of the east of Tehran in the academic year of 2021-2022. A total of 267 samples were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. The participants responded to the Loneliness Scale (UCLA) by Russell (1996), the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) by Buri (1991), and the Parent-Child Conflict Scale by Fine, Moreland & Schwebel (1983), which were presented online by teachers and researchers.
Results: Based on the data analysis results, authoritative parenting style(R=-.341) at the level (p <.01).  inversely and authoritarian parenting style directly (R=.339) at the level (p <.01) predicted loneliness. Among conflict resolution tactics, reasoning inversely(R=-.180) at the level (p <.01), verbal aggression (R=.359) at the level (p <.01), and physical aggression (R=.223) at the level (p <.01) directly predicted loneliness. Additionally, the perceived parenting style and parent-child conflict resolution tactics greatly affected loneliness in adolescent girls.
Conclusion: Teaching authoritative parenting style and conflict resolution tactics prevented loneliness. Meanwhile, the development of interventions and ensuring parental participation had a significant effect on the reduction and prevention of loneliness.

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