Study of parental handling patterns in a primary school of Kolkata

M Sinha1, D Sanyal, T Dasgupta

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, Kolkata. drmausumisen@rediffmail.com

Insights

This study explored parenting styles in school-aged children, revealing complex care and control dimensions. Findings highlight the multifaceted nature of parenting within the socio-cultural context.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Sociocultural Studies

Background:

  • Parenting styles significantly influence child development.
  • Understanding cultural nuances in parenting is crucial for effective child-rearing strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and characterize the parenting styles of school-going children.
  • To evaluate the intricate patterns of parenting within a specific socio-cultural context.

Main Methods:

  • A 14-item Parental Handling Questionnaire assessed care and control dimensions.
  • Data collected from mothers of 141 school children aged 6-10 years.
  • Factor analysis identified underlying parenting dimensions.

Main Results:

  • The Parental Handling Questionnaire demonstrated moderate internal consistency.
  • Factor analysis revealed 5 independent factors.
  • These factors indicated overlapping aspects of care and control, suggesting multidimensional parenting.

Conclusions:

  • Parenting styles are complex and multidimensional, integrating both care and control.
  • The study underscores the importance of socio-cultural context in shaping parenting practices.
  • Further research is needed to explore these dimensions in diverse populations.

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