Self-Esteem in Early Adolescence: The Importance of Parental Behavior and School Success

Many researches have demonstrated the importance of self-esteem in explaining wide psychological and social outcomes among children and adolescents. Certainly, parents play a major role in the development of their children's self-esteem. Although many studies examine the sources of self-esteem socialization, the contribution of the unique and differential influence of mothers and fathers on children's self-esteem was largely neglected. The purpose of this study was to examine the unique contribution of mother's and father's parental behavior and school success, in explaining the self-esteem among pupils in early adolescence. Research was conducted on a sample of 102 schoolchildren aged 12 to 15 (66 girls and 36 boys). Hierarchical regression analysis indicated the importance of distinct and unique aspects of maternal and paternal parenting in explaining children's self-esteem. Maternal and paternal emotionality were significant positive predictors of children's self-esteem. In addition, maternal psychological control negatively predicted children's self-esteem. After controlling the contribution of child's gender and parental behavior variables, school success was unrelated to self-esteem.