INFLUENCES OF PARENTING STYLES ON EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS OF BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Emotional development refers to an individual’s ability to recognize and regulate their emotions. Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s emotional well-being. This study aims to examine the influence of parenting styles on the emotional development of Psychology students at Bestlink College of the Philippines. It seeks to provide insights into how different parental approaches impact the emotional growth and well-being of individuals. This quantitative study focused on Psychology students from all year levels at Bestlink College of the Philippines. Using stratified random sampling, 332 students were randomly selected as respondents. The primary instrument for data collection was a survey questionnaire, and the gathered data were analyzed using percentages and weighted mean. The findings indicate that parenting styles significantly impact students' emotional development. The authoritative parenting style was the most prevalent among respondents' parents, suggesting that students experienced a structured and consistent approach to discipline, fostering stability and predictability during childhood. Conversely, uninvolved parenting ranked the lowest, indicating that some students experienced emotional neglect, lack of support, and an absence of a nurturing environment, which could lead to feelings of detachment and negatively affect emotional well-being. The study confirms that parenting methods play a critical role in shaping an individual's emotional maturity. A significant difference was observed in the emotional growth and maturity of lower and higher-year Psychology students. Higher-year students demonstrated better emotional regulation and maturity compared to lower-year students. This suggests that emotional development is closely linked to parental upbringing, emphasizing the profound influence of parenting styles on students' emotional well-being.