JOURNAL ARTICLE

Parenting Style and Subjective Well-Being in Children and Youth: A Meta-Analysis.

  • Published In: Psychological Reports, 2026, v. 129, n. 2. P. 927 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Huang, Liangrong; Wu, Wenfeng; Yang, Fang 3 of 3

Abstract

This meta-analysis examines the relationship between parenting styles—categorized as positive (characterized by warmth and support) and negative (characterized by punishment and hostility)—and subjective well-being (SWB) in children and youth, including life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Analyzing 155 studies with 79,979 participants, the findings indicate that positive parenting is moderately positively associated with SWB, life satisfaction, and positive affect, and negatively associated with negative affect, whereas negative parenting shows weaker but significant opposite associations. The study also identifies age, gender, and cultural background as moderators: the positive impact of parenting on well-being decreases with age, is stronger for girls than boys regarding negative affect, and is more pronounced in Eastern collectivist cultures compared to Western individualist cultures. These results highlight the importance of positive parenting practices in promoting healthy psychological development and well-being among children and adolescents.

Additional Information

  • Source:Psychological Reports. 2026/04, Vol. 129, Issue 2, p927
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Law
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0033-2941
  • DOI:10.1177/00332941241256883
  • Accession Number:192008996
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