Learning and Parenting in Spanish Environments: Prosocial Behavior, Aggression, and Self-Concept

Abstract

The psychology of sustainability and sustainable development is related to improvements in people’s quality of life in different environments, including the family. Based on this theoretical approach, this study explores the relationships between parenting styles (maternal and paternal support, control, and neglect) and prosocial behavior, aggression, and self-concept of children from Spain aged 4–7 years (M = 5.81; DS = 1.05). Participants were 635 boys and girls (53.7% boys; 46.3% girls) from Valencia and Castellón (Spain). Most parents had low educational levels and low-qualified, temporary jobs. Over 82% of participants were from Spain. The other participants were from Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. The results indicate that maternal support and control have the strongest relationships with children’s prosocial behavior, aggression, and self-concept, fundamentally as predictors of self-concept and aggression. According to children’s perceptions, maternal parenting plays a more prominent role than paternal parenting. Authoritarian and neglectful parenting at these ages seems to be perceived less negatively than at other ages, and the effects of such parenting may arise at a later age. Furthermore, prosocial behavior and self-concept curb aggression. These results can support the design of interventions in childhood.

Parental Punishment and Adolescents’ Loneliness: A Moderated Mediation Model of General Self-Concept and Teacher–Student Relationships

“…First, we should pay careful attention to the parental upbringing styles when attempting to prevent episodes of loneliness. As suggested by previous research, parenting styles have substantial effects on the general self-concept as well as behavioural outcomes (Bagán et al, 2019;Chen et al, 2020). Parents should thus reduce the use of negative educational methods in order to meet the emotional needs of their children within the family context while also paying more attention to their formative processes and levels of loneliness.…”

“…This result is congruent with previous findings regarding the influence of parental upbringing styles on both the general self-concept. For example, research shows that if parents adopt positive parenting methods, such as parental support, it will help teenagers to form positive development results, such as prosocial behavior and self-concept development ( Bagán et al, 2019 ). However, negative parenting styles in which adolescents experience parental punishment, parental rejection, and low parental emotional warmth lead to negative developmental outcomes for adolescents, including increased aggressive behaviour and a negative general self-concept ( Wu et al, 2015 ; Zubizarreta et al, 2019 ; Luo et al, 2020 ).…”

“…For example, perceived parenting will affect children’s general self-concept ( Chen et al, 2020 ). The parenting style based on supporting children helps create an atmosphere of influence and trust, which is conducive to the development of prosocial behavior and self-concept ( Bagán et al, 2019 ). Coercive control from parents can lead to negative self-concept among adolescents ( Boudreault-Bouchard et al, 2013 ).…”

Children’s and Mothers’ Achievement Goal Orientations and Self-Efficacy: Dyadic Contributions to Students’ Well-Being

“…The importance of the parental motivational orientations in the development of the children's corresponding orientations and well-being suggests that changing academic adaptation might be possible by operating early interventions at the parents' level. Further research is necessary to explore why performance-approach goals had a positive impact on well-being in this cultural context, as previous studies revealed that this type of goal orientation may be detrimental to well-being.Sustainability 2020, 12, 1785 2 of 24 development of children and adolescents (e.g., [6][7][8][9][10][11]). On the basis of the existing parenting models in the literature, three characteristics of parents influencing the development of children were identified: the parents' beliefs (values and goals in socializing their children); the parenting practices they employ; and the parenting style as a more global configuration of different parenting practices reflecting the parents ' beliefs, attitudes, or values [12].…”

“…Sustainability 2020, 12, 1785 2 of 24 development of children and adolescents (e.g., [6][7][8][9][10][11]). On the basis of the existing parenting models in the literature, three characteristics of parents influencing the development of children were identified: the parents' beliefs (values and goals in socializing their children); the parenting practices they employ; and the parenting style as a more global configuration of different parenting practices reflecting the parents ' beliefs, attitudes, or values [12].…”