Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body image
Abstract Purpose This study aims to investigate how different parental rearing styles (i.e., maternal and paternal) influence adolescent self-esteem, with specific emphasis on the mediating roles of body satisfaction and body attractiveness as core dimensions of body image. Methodology A cross-secti...
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2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02887-7 |
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| author | Shuyu Huang Zhengwei Wan |
| author_facet | Shuyu Huang Zhengwei Wan |
| author_sort | Shuyu Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose This study aims to investigate how different parental rearing styles (i.e., maternal and paternal) influence adolescent self-esteem, with specific emphasis on the mediating roles of body satisfaction and body attractiveness as core dimensions of body image. Methodology A cross-sectional survey design was employed using a sample of 2,806 elementary school students aged 6 to 13 from two schools. Validated scales measured maternal and paternal rearing styles, body satisfaction, body attractiveness, and self-esteem. Pearson correlation analyses and path modeling were conducted to determine the direct and indirect effects of rearing styles on adolescent self-esteem, focusing on the multiple mediation pathways via body image dimensions. Findings Results indicate that maternal rearing styles directly enhance self-esteem while also exerting positive indirect effects through improved body satisfaction and body attractiveness. In contrast, paternal rearing styles predominantly influence self-esteem indirectly through body satisfaction, without showing direct effects on body attractiveness or self-esteem. Further analysis confirms that both body satisfaction and body attractiveness jointly mediate the impact of parental rearing styles on adolescents’ self-esteem, revealing a multifaceted mediating mechanism. Implications These findings underscore the importance of adopting nurturing, autonomy-supportive parenting strategies—especially maternal emotional warmth—to strengthen adolescents’ body image and foster a healthier sense of self-worth. Educators, parents, and policymakers can leverage these insights to design family-focused interventions and school programs that promote positive body image, ultimately contributing to adolescents’ psychological well-being. By emphasizing both maternal and paternal roles, stakeholders can more effectively safeguard and enhance adolescent self-esteem within diverse cultural contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8a9ebbd6b2d14141b526e9b13711cab1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| spelling | doaj-art-8a9ebbd6b2d14141b526e9b13711cab12025-08-20T03:08:46ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-05-011311810.1186/s40359-025-02887-7Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body imageShuyu Huang0Zhengwei Wan1College of Teachers, Chengdu UniversityCollege of Teachers, Chengdu UniversityAbstract Purpose This study aims to investigate how different parental rearing styles (i.e., maternal and paternal) influence adolescent self-esteem, with specific emphasis on the mediating roles of body satisfaction and body attractiveness as core dimensions of body image. Methodology A cross-sectional survey design was employed using a sample of 2,806 elementary school students aged 6 to 13 from two schools. Validated scales measured maternal and paternal rearing styles, body satisfaction, body attractiveness, and self-esteem. Pearson correlation analyses and path modeling were conducted to determine the direct and indirect effects of rearing styles on adolescent self-esteem, focusing on the multiple mediation pathways via body image dimensions. Findings Results indicate that maternal rearing styles directly enhance self-esteem while also exerting positive indirect effects through improved body satisfaction and body attractiveness. In contrast, paternal rearing styles predominantly influence self-esteem indirectly through body satisfaction, without showing direct effects on body attractiveness or self-esteem. Further analysis confirms that both body satisfaction and body attractiveness jointly mediate the impact of parental rearing styles on adolescents’ self-esteem, revealing a multifaceted mediating mechanism. Implications These findings underscore the importance of adopting nurturing, autonomy-supportive parenting strategies—especially maternal emotional warmth—to strengthen adolescents’ body image and foster a healthier sense of self-worth. Educators, parents, and policymakers can leverage these insights to design family-focused interventions and school programs that promote positive body image, ultimately contributing to adolescents’ psychological well-being. By emphasizing both maternal and paternal roles, stakeholders can more effectively safeguard and enhance adolescent self-esteem within diverse cultural contexts.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02887-7Parental rearing stylesSelf-EsteemBody imageMediation model |
| spellingShingle | Shuyu Huang Zhengwei Wan Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body image BMC Psychology Parental rearing styles Self-Esteem Body image Mediation model |
| title | Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body image |
| title_full | Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body image |
| title_fullStr | Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body image |
| title_full_unstemmed | Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body image |
| title_short | Parental rearing styles and adolescent self-esteem: the mediating roles of body image |
| title_sort | parental rearing styles and adolescent self esteem the mediating roles of body image |
| topic | Parental rearing styles Self-Esteem Body image Mediation model |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-02887-7 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shuyuhuang parentalrearingstylesandadolescentselfesteemthemediatingrolesofbodyimage AT zhengweiwan parentalrearingstylesandadolescentselfesteemthemediatingrolesofbodyimage |