Understanding the Relationship Between Positive Parenting and Social - Emotional Competence in Early Adolescents

Parenting constitutes one of the most influential determinants in child and adolescent development, significantly shaping emotional, social, and psychological outcomes across developmental stages. Within this framework, positive parenting which is characterized by warmth, nurturing values, supportive involvement, and strengths-based guidance can be considered as a protective factor in fostering adaptive developmental competencies during early adolescence. Grounded in developmental perspectives such as Attachment Theory and Social Learning Theory, the study examined the predictive role of positive parenting in shaping socio-emotional competence among early. A quantitative research design was employed using standardized psychometric measures administered to parents and adolescents. The variables were assessed using the Nicomachus Positive parenting scale and Social and Emotional Competence Questionnaire by Minming Zhou and Jessie Ee. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, Pearson’s product-moment correlation, and regression analysis. The findings revealed significant gender differences in parenting practices, with mothers demonstrating significantly higher levels of positive parenting than fathers. Female adolescents exhibited marginally higher socio-emotional competence than male adolescents. Regression findings established positive parenting as a significant predictor of adolescents’ socio-emotional competence, with nurturing values and strength-based parenting emerging as particularly influential dimensions. The study highlights positive parenting as a foundational developmental resource that enhances emotional regulation, interpersonal competence, and adaptive social functioning during early adolescence, emphasizing its significance for parenting interventions, psycho-educational practices, and adolescent developmental well-being.