Structural model of parenting styles, early maladaptive schemas and narcissistic personality traits in adolescents

Aim: The study purpose was to determine the structural model of parenting styles, early maladaptive schemas and narcissistic personality traits in adolescents in male adolescents. Method was a descriptive correlational type and the statistical population included all 13 to 18 male adolescents in Tehran in fall and winter of 2016 (N=167459). Through target sampling, 300 teenagers and their mothers were selected from Bahman Cultural Center, Fajr Cultural and Arts Complex, and Bahman Sports Complex. The selection was based on based on Guadagnoli & Velicer’s proposal. The study tools were Baumrind’s Parenting Styles Questionnaire (1990) which was completed by mothers and Young’s Schema Questionnaire-short form (1988) as well as Ames, Rose & Anderson’s (2006) Narcissistic Personality Inventory which were completed by adolescents. Results showed that early maladaptive schemas had a negative mediation effect on the relationship between authoritative parenting styles and narcissistic personality traits (β=-0.319, P=0.001) but had a positive mediation effect on the relationship between authoritarian parenting styles and narcissistic personality traits (β=0.153, P=0.02). The educational system of family, or in other words parenting styles are important factors in the formation of children's personality and as well as the formation of cognitive constructs including early maladaptive schemas. Based on these results, positive parenting education is recommended for parents, especially mothers, and especially during the early development of their children.