Perceived Parental Stress and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Parenting Styles among Married Couples
Keywords:
parental stress, emotional intelligence, parenting styles, married couples
Abstract
Parenting is a multifaceted journey filled with joys, challenges, and responsibilities that significantly affect the well-being of both parents and children. Studies that investigated parenting styles have used different predictors with results giving varied results. This study examines the predictability of perceived parental stress and emotional intelligence on parenting styles among married couples in Ibadan, Nigeria. Cross-sectional survey design was adopted while purposive sampling technique was used to select the study population. Data were collected from 393 participants using validated questionnaires and analyzed using t-test of independent samples and multiple regressions. Two hypotheses were tested and accepted at p <.05 level of significance. The results revealed that perceived parental stress and emotional intelligence jointly predicted parenting styles [R2=.06, F(5,392)= 4.58, p <.05]. In addition, the result indicated that regulation of emotional appraisal (β = 15, t = 2.45, p <.05) and use of emotion (β =.15, t = 2.58, p <.05) dimensions of emotional intelligence independently predicted parenting styles. Finally, gender significantly influenced parenting styles [t(391)= 2.11, p <.05] such that male participants reported higher perceived parenting styles (M= 91.37, SD = 22.49) compared to their female counterparts (M = 87.22, SD= 16.29). The study concluded that perceived parental stress and emotional intelligence are strong predictors of parenting styles among study participants. It is recommended that stress management programs should be put in place to help parents reduce stress levels to improve their ability to provide better parenting care to their children.
References
Abci, K., & Rosa, R. (2022). Perceived parenting style and emotional intelligence among late adolescents. Journal of Psychological and Educational Research, 30(1), 48-64.
Abci, Y., Santos, L., Almeida, F., & Pereira, M. (2022). Emotional Intelligence (EI) and its impact on mental health: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 48(3), 210-228.
Ackerman, C.E . (2021). Emotional Intelligence: Definition, Components ,and Benefits. Positive Psychology, Journal of Parental Psychology, 1(2), 125-132.
Adelani, T. T., Akanni, T. O., Otakpor, O., & Olufunmilayo, F. (2019). Influence of parenting style, emotional intelligence and psychological health of Nigerian children. Journal of Psychology in Africa,29 (4),355-361.
Adelina, R., Silva, A., Mendes, R., & Pereira, C. (2021).Parental love, rearing practices, and their impact on a child's emotional intelligence. Journal of Child Development,33(2),189-205.
Akinnawo, E. O., Akpunne, B. C. & Olajide, O. A., (2019). The impact of parenting styles on child self-development: A psychological perspective. Journal of Child Psychology, 45(2), 123-145.
Akinnawo, C. (2019).Perceived parenting styles and academic achievement of university students in Nigeria, International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 7(2),123-134.
Alegre, A., & Benson, M. J. (2010). Parenting styles and adolescents' emotional intelligence: A study of upper secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur. International Journal of Human & Social Sciences, 5(6),371-382.
Alexandrina, I., Silva, A., Menes, R., & Pereira, C. (2015). Understanding perceived parental stress: Definition, measurement, and implications. Journal of Family Dynamics,28(4),321-338.
Ambachew, A., Amare, B., & Geleta, B. (2018). Authoritative parenting and its positive effects on children's social competence. Social Development, 30(4), 432-449.
Amponsah, F., Milledzi, .Ampofo, K., & Gyambrah, A. (2018). The authoritarian parenting style and its impact on children's responsibility and delinquent behavior. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(2), 167-185.
Assefi, M., & Sintayehu, M. (2019). The impact of parenting styles on children's cognitive, emotional, and social development. Journal of Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 41(5),567-582.
Baumrind, D. (2012). Parental responsiveness and demandingness: Two fundamental elements of parenting. Child Development, 67(3), 87-104.
Berry, J.D., & Jones, W.H. (1995). The parental stress scale: Initial psychometric evidence. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 12, 463-472
Cayetana, A., Fernandez, R., Lopez, S., & Martinez, L.(2018). Perceived parental stress: A psychological exploration of the challenges in parenting. Journal of Parental Psychology,36(2),145-162.
Cayetana, S., Serrano, E., & Mujika, A. (2018). Perceived parental stress and parenting styles on children's healthy lifestyles. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 15(6),1133.
Divya, T. V., & Manikandan, K. (2013). Perceived parenting style scale. Department of Psychology, University of Calicut, Kerala, India
Emagnaw, C. (2018).Parenting styles and academic performance of secondary school students in Delta State. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education & Development, 7(2),217-224.
Emagnaw, C., & Hong, L. (2018).The impact of parenting styles on children's emotional well-being. Journal of Emotional Development, 43(1),76-92.
Gomcz-Baya, D.(2017). Emotional intelligence and mental health among adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 46(5), 789-805.
Hafsa, N., Greenwood J.C & Santosa M.E, (2022).Parenting styles and their influence on child self-esteem and academic performance. Child Development, 78(3),234-256.
Huey, L., Fernandez, R., Ramirez, J., & Torres, E. (2020). Overprotective parenting styles and their association with emotional intelligence in children. Child Development Perspectives, 14(2), 167-185.
Jabbar, A., Shehzad, S., & Assi, M. (2020). Effect of parenting styles on students' emotional intelligence among Indian adolescents. International Journal of School and Cognitive Psychology, 7(2),1000215.
Kordi, A., & Baharudin, R. (2018). Understanding parenting styles: A psychological arrangement of attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Parental Psychology, 32(1),56-78.
Libbrecht, N., Lievens, F., & Schollaert, E.(2010). Measurement equivalence of the Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale across self and other ratings. Educational & Psychological Measurement, 70(6), 1007-1020. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164410378090
López-Martínez, R., Gonzalez, J., Sanchez, M., & Ruiz, P.(2019).Context-dependent nature of perceived parental stress: Exploring the role of parenting styles and family dynamics. Journal of Family Well-Being,50(1),78-94.
Nguyen, T. (2020). Family as the first interaction: Emotional lessons and their impact on emotional intelligence. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(1),56-78.
Okoye, U.O., Muslihah, W., & Zarinah, A. (2021). Parenting styles, parental stress ,and emotional intelligence among college students in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 11(7),178-195.
Olubori, B. O. (2023). Perceived parental stress and emotional intelligence as predictors of parenting style among adolescents in Ibadan North, Ibadan, Oyo State. BSc thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Olutope, (2019). Parenting styles and their influence on emotional intelligence and psychological health. Journal of Asian & African Social Science & Humanities,5(2),55-67.
Priya, S., & Jaswanti, A. (2020). Relationship between parenting styles and emotional intelligence among late adolescents in Chennai. International Journal of Educational & Psychological Research, 9(4), 30-34.
Reparaz, C., Garcia, M., Rodriguez, A., & Mendez, L. (2021). Parenting as a multifaceted journey: Exploring the impact on well-being. Journal of Family Studies,42(3),215-230.
Reyes-Wapano, M.R. (2021). Does parenting style predicts emotional intelligence? International Journal of Research & Innovation in Social Science, 5(7),469-657.
Shahid, A. (2020). Positive relations with parents and emotional understanding in children. Child Development Perspectives,14(3),201-207.
Abci, Y., Santos, L., Almeida, F., & Pereira, M. (2022). Emotional Intelligence (EI) and its impact on mental health: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 48(3), 210-228.
Ackerman, C.E . (2021). Emotional Intelligence: Definition, Components ,and Benefits. Positive Psychology, Journal of Parental Psychology, 1(2), 125-132.
Adelani, T. T., Akanni, T. O., Otakpor, O., & Olufunmilayo, F. (2019). Influence of parenting style, emotional intelligence and psychological health of Nigerian children. Journal of Psychology in Africa,29 (4),355-361.
Adelina, R., Silva, A., Mendes, R., & Pereira, C. (2021).Parental love, rearing practices, and their impact on a child's emotional intelligence. Journal of Child Development,33(2),189-205.
Akinnawo, E. O., Akpunne, B. C. & Olajide, O. A., (2019). The impact of parenting styles on child self-development: A psychological perspective. Journal of Child Psychology, 45(2), 123-145.
Akinnawo, C. (2019).Perceived parenting styles and academic achievement of university students in Nigeria, International Journal of Education, Learning and Development, 7(2),123-134.
Alegre, A., & Benson, M. J. (2010). Parenting styles and adolescents' emotional intelligence: A study of upper secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur. International Journal of Human & Social Sciences, 5(6),371-382.
Alexandrina, I., Silva, A., Menes, R., & Pereira, C. (2015). Understanding perceived parental stress: Definition, measurement, and implications. Journal of Family Dynamics,28(4),321-338.
Ambachew, A., Amare, B., & Geleta, B. (2018). Authoritative parenting and its positive effects on children's social competence. Social Development, 30(4), 432-449.
Amponsah, F., Milledzi, .Ampofo, K., & Gyambrah, A. (2018). The authoritarian parenting style and its impact on children's responsibility and delinquent behavior. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(2), 167-185.
Assefi, M., & Sintayehu, M. (2019). The impact of parenting styles on children's cognitive, emotional, and social development. Journal of Child and Family Behavior Therapy, 41(5),567-582.
Baumrind, D. (2012). Parental responsiveness and demandingness: Two fundamental elements of parenting. Child Development, 67(3), 87-104.
Berry, J.D., & Jones, W.H. (1995). The parental stress scale: Initial psychometric evidence. Journal of Social & Personal Relationships, 12, 463-472
Cayetana, A., Fernandez, R., Lopez, S., & Martinez, L.(2018). Perceived parental stress: A psychological exploration of the challenges in parenting. Journal of Parental Psychology,36(2),145-162.
Cayetana, S., Serrano, E., & Mujika, A. (2018). Perceived parental stress and parenting styles on children's healthy lifestyles. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 15(6),1133.
Divya, T. V., & Manikandan, K. (2013). Perceived parenting style scale. Department of Psychology, University of Calicut, Kerala, India
Emagnaw, C. (2018).Parenting styles and academic performance of secondary school students in Delta State. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education & Development, 7(2),217-224.
Emagnaw, C., & Hong, L. (2018).The impact of parenting styles on children's emotional well-being. Journal of Emotional Development, 43(1),76-92.
Gomcz-Baya, D.(2017). Emotional intelligence and mental health among adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 46(5), 789-805.
Hafsa, N., Greenwood J.C & Santosa M.E, (2022).Parenting styles and their influence on child self-esteem and academic performance. Child Development, 78(3),234-256.
Huey, L., Fernandez, R., Ramirez, J., & Torres, E. (2020). Overprotective parenting styles and their association with emotional intelligence in children. Child Development Perspectives, 14(2), 167-185.
Jabbar, A., Shehzad, S., & Assi, M. (2020). Effect of parenting styles on students' emotional intelligence among Indian adolescents. International Journal of School and Cognitive Psychology, 7(2),1000215.
Kordi, A., & Baharudin, R. (2018). Understanding parenting styles: A psychological arrangement of attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Parental Psychology, 32(1),56-78.
Libbrecht, N., Lievens, F., & Schollaert, E.(2010). Measurement equivalence of the Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale across self and other ratings. Educational & Psychological Measurement, 70(6), 1007-1020. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164410378090
López-Martínez, R., Gonzalez, J., Sanchez, M., & Ruiz, P.(2019).Context-dependent nature of perceived parental stress: Exploring the role of parenting styles and family dynamics. Journal of Family Well-Being,50(1),78-94.
Nguyen, T. (2020). Family as the first interaction: Emotional lessons and their impact on emotional intelligence. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(1),56-78.
Okoye, U.O., Muslihah, W., & Zarinah, A. (2021). Parenting styles, parental stress ,and emotional intelligence among college students in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 11(7),178-195.
Olubori, B. O. (2023). Perceived parental stress and emotional intelligence as predictors of parenting style among adolescents in Ibadan North, Ibadan, Oyo State. BSc thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Olutope, (2019). Parenting styles and their influence on emotional intelligence and psychological health. Journal of Asian & African Social Science & Humanities,5(2),55-67.
Priya, S., & Jaswanti, A. (2020). Relationship between parenting styles and emotional intelligence among late adolescents in Chennai. International Journal of Educational & Psychological Research, 9(4), 30-34.
Reparaz, C., Garcia, M., Rodriguez, A., & Mendez, L. (2021). Parenting as a multifaceted journey: Exploring the impact on well-being. Journal of Family Studies,42(3),215-230.
Reyes-Wapano, M.R. (2021). Does parenting style predicts emotional intelligence? International Journal of Research & Innovation in Social Science, 5(7),469-657.
Shahid, A. (2020). Positive relations with parents and emotional understanding in children. Child Development Perspectives,14(3),201-207.
Published
2025-05-04
How to Cite
Babatunde O. Olubori, Esohe G. Ehondor, Olubunmi O. James, & Emmanuel E. Uye. (2025). Perceived Parental Stress and Emotional Intelligence as Predictors of Parenting Styles among Married Couples . International Journal of Education, Vocational and Social Science , 4(02), 218-229. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v4i02.1739
Contact Person +6282139474255
Email : ijevss@citakonsultindo.or.id / editor.ijevss@gmail.com
