Psychological Capital, Parenting Stress and Well-Being Among School Adolescents

Abstract

Background

Adolescent well-being remains an underexplored area in the Indian context, particularly regarding the interplay between psychological capital and parenting stress. Understanding these interrelationships is essential for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of psychological capital comprising four constructs, hope, self-efficacy, resilience, and optimism (HERO), parenting stress and wellbeing of school adolescents.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 976 school-going adolescents (Mean age = 15 years) from schools in Chandigarh and Panchkula. Standardized psychological measures assessed adolescent well-being, psychological capital, and parenting stress. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses identified significant associations and predictors, while an independent samples t-test examined gender differences.

Results

Resilience and optimism were found to be strong predictors of adolescent well-being, while higher maternal parenting stress was associated with lower well-being. Hope and self-efficacy also showed significant positive associations with well-being. Additionally, fathers of male adolescents reported greater parenting stress than fathers of female adolescents.

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for interventions that enhance the overall well-being of adolescents focusing on harnessing the internal resources of adolescents and lowering parenting stress in both mothers and fathers.