Parental Influence on Aggression and Self-Esteem Among Young Adults: An Indian Context

This study investigates the relationship between parenting styles (authoritative and authoritarian), self-esteem, and aggression among young adults aged 18 to 25 in Delhi . Grounded in Baurmind’s theoretical framework , the study aims to understand how different parental approaches influence psychological outcomes in emerging adulthood. A sample of 104 participants was selected through convenience sampling. Standardized self-report measures—validated for the Indian population—were used to assess parenting style, self-esteem, and aggression. Data was collected via both online and offline administration and analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient in Microsoft Excel. Results indicated a high positive correlation between authoritative parenting and self-esteem (r = 0.40), and a high negative correlation between authoritative parenting and aggression (r = -0.36). Conversely, authoritarian parenting was negatively correlated with self-esteem (r = - 0.28) and positively correlated with aggression (r = 0.28). Self-esteem and aggression were also inversely related (r = -0.48). These findings suggest that authoritative parenting may foster healthier emotional and behavioral outcomes, while authoritarian parenting may be linked with lower self-worth and higher aggression in young adults. This study emphasizes the enduring effect of the way parents treat their offspring , on personality development and behavioral adjustment in the Indian cultural context.