Parenting Styles and Behavioural Disposition among Adolescents Involved In Delinquent Acts

Behavioural disposition among adolescents involved in delinquent acts may reflect how parental control, supervision, emotional responsiveness and communication are experienced at home. This study examined perceived effects of authoritarian, neglectful, authoritative and permissive parenting on the behavioural dispositions of adolescents involved in delinquent acts. The analysis used 289 valid questionnaire responses and six qualitative interviews from the original study. Results showed that 85.8% perceived authoritarian parenting as making students disciplined, while 5.9% associated it with anxiety and aggression. Neglectful parenting was strongly associated with disregard for rules/laws (93.4%). Authoritative parenting was associated with positive decision-making by 92.4% of respondents. Permissive parenting was associated with antisocial behaviour by 80.3%. The original chi-square test showed a statistically significant relationship between parenting styles and behavioural dispositions (χ²=20.687, df=9, p=0.014). Qualitative findings added an important nuance: although strictness was often perceived as disciplinary, excessive control could create fear, anger or reluctance to communicate. The findings suggest that behavioural outcomes depend not only on whether parents exercise control, but also on how control is combined with responsiveness, communication and supervision.

Keywords: Adolescents, Behavioural Disposition, Delinquent Acts, Parenting styles.