Investigating the Relationship of Parenting Styles and Assertiveness of Male High School Students

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to examine the relationship of parenting styles and assertiveness of male high school students in Birjand. The research method was descriptive-correlational. Population of the study included all male high school students among which 150 students were selected through random sampling. Research instruments included Baumrind Parenting Styles Questionnaire, Gambrill and Richey Assertion Inventory. The questionnaires’ validity was checked in terms of their content. Using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, their reliability was estimated about 0.77 and 0.81, respectively. To examine whether parenting style is associated with assertiveness, the Pearson’s correlation statistical test was used. Findings indicated that there was a negative significant relationship between authoritarian parenting style and assertiveness (-0.67), a significant relationship between authoritative parenting style and assertiveness (0.43) and a significant relationship with permissive parenting style (0.76). Therefore, according to the results, it is suggested that parenting skills should be improved through applying media and providing educational classes and giving further information on healthy parenting styles. As a result of applying these methods, the crime rate will be reduced leading to an increase in individuals’ assertiveness.

Assertiveness, Authoritative, Authoritarian and Permissive