Parenting styles and stress in students of compulsory secondary education

The main purpose of this study was to examine any possible existing connection between parenting style, as perceived by a group of teenagers, and the level of concern shown at a group of daily stressors among this stage in development. In addition, it was studied whether the reported level of stress was subjected to change related to gender. 495 students of compulsory secondary education ranging between 12 and 16 participated in the study. The results obtained revealed that those adolescents with parents exhibiting a permissive style showed a lower level of stress compared to those belonging to authoritarian homes. Furthermore, gender-related differences were only found in one of the stressor categories. The results are discussed appealing to an ecological model of human development. KEY WORDS: adolescents, parenting styles, daily stress.