Dysfunctional Parenting as a Determinant of Indecisiveness among Adolescents

Abstract

Today the parenting become more difficult because adapting to the environment and preparing children for the dynamic life is becoming a challenge especially when the parenting styles are dysfunctional. Therefore, present study aimed to explore the relationship of dysfunctional parenting with indecisiveness in adolescents where the term “dysfunctional parenting” was reflecting two key factors i.e., lack of care and overprotection (Parker, et al. 1979). A quantitative correlational method was applied with a stratified random sample of N = 304, students of University of Karachi between ages of 17 to 21 years. The Frost Indecisiveness Scale (FIS) (Frost & Shows, 1993) and Parental bond instrument (PBI) (Parker, et al. 1997) has been administered. Linear regression analysis indicated that only mother care was found to be significant predictors of fear of decision making whereas father care, mother overprotection and father overprotection were not found be a significant predictor of fear of decision making and positive decision making in adolescents. Research findings can be helpful for parental training programs and adolescents’ academic counseling.