Associations between parenting styles and early maladaptive schemas in juvenile offenders: a quantitative study

Delinquent behaviors among adolescents represent a significant concern in contemporary society, prompting psychologists to investigate the underlying factors associated with such behaviors. Previous research indicates that parenting styles and early maladaptive schemas play an important role in adolescents' emotional and behavioral development. The present study aimed to examine the relationships between perceived parenting styles and early maladaptive schemas among adolescents with delinquent behaviors. This study employed a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational research design. The sample consisted of 100 adolescents, including girls and boys aged 12-17 years, who were residing in the Correction and Rehabilitation Center of Tehran. Data were collected using the Baumrind Parenting Styles Questionnaire and the Young Schema Questionnaire. Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise regression analysis were used to examine the associations between perceived parenting styles and early maladaptive schemas. The findings indicated significant associations between perceived parenting styles and early maladaptive schemas. Authoritarian and permissive parenting styles were associated with higher levels of maladaptive schemas, whereas authoritative parenting showed negative associations with incompatible schemas. The regression analyses also indicated that specific maladaptive schemas were significantly associated with different parenting styles. The findings highlight the importance of parenting practices in adolescents' cognitive and emotional development. They suggest that perceived parenting styles may be meaningfully related to maladaptive schema patterns among adolescents with delinquent behaviors. These results may inform preventive and intervention programs focused on parenting education, schema-focused counseling, and rehabilitation services for adolescents in correctional settings.