Relationship between Parenting Styles and Self-Esteem in Adolescents Aged 13 to 18 Years: A Case of Ace Schools in Nairobi County

Parenting styles highly influence self-esteem. Adolescents are likely to develop positive or negative self-esteem due to the parenting style they experience. There are not many studies that have focused on the influence of parenting styles on self-esteem of adolescents in Kenya. The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between parenting styles and self-esteem of adolescents. This correlational study was conducted in ACE schools in Kenya, Nairobi County. Convenient sampling was used to select the most accessible population. The sample was drawn from four ACE schools, target population was n=900 and 10% was a representative sample, n=90. PAQ/R and the RSES were used for data collection. A pilot study test was carried out in Providence Academy in Kasarani. The SPSS V.24 package was used in data analysis. At the univariate level, data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in the form of frequency counts and presented in tables. At the bivariate level Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient was used to obtain correlations and significance. Regression analysis was used to determine impact of parenting style on self-esteem. The results revealed that the overall self-esteem was normal (M = 19.71; SD = 19.71). A moderate positive statistically significant relationship was found between authoritative parenting style and self-esteem (r = .384, p = .001). A weak positive relationship was found between authoritarian and authoritative parenting styles which was statistically significant (r = .252, p = .028). Male participants scored higher for self-esteem than females (M = 19.80= 4.42). Authoritative parenting style had significant effect on self-esteem F (1, 33) = 6.47, p= .16. Gender had an effect on self-esteem (B = .33, 95% CI) R2 = .164 for females and (B = .33, 95% CI) R2 = .146 for males. The study recommended a similar study among adolescents in public schools and other types of private schools to assess their self-esteem and the parenting styles that they are exposed to.