Investigation of the Mediating Role of Self-Regulation in the Relationship between Parenting Styles and Social Participation of Adolescents

Social participation is a psychological concept that is important in adolescents. By participating in social activities, a person can recognize his abilities and talents and reach maturity through gaining experience. The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating role of self-regulation in the relationship between parenting styles and adolescent social participation. The research method was fundamental in terms of purpose and correlational in terms of data collection method.

The statistical population included all adolescents in Arak who were studying in secondary schools. The sample consisted of 510 adolescents (255 boys and 255 girls) who were selected by cluster sampling method. Data collection tools were Bumrind parenting style questionnaire, Bogard et al.'s self-regulation questionnaire, and Branigan’s eagerness to participate in social activities. Data analysis was performed using structural equation method with Smart PLS software.

The results showed that the direct effect of permissive parenting style on social participation and its indirect effect through self-regulated mediation (p<.05), the direct effect of authoritarian parenting style on social participation and its indirect effect through self-regulated mediation (p<.05), and finally the direct effect of authoritative parenting style on social participation and its indirect effect through self-regulatory mediation on social participation were confirmed (p<.05).

According to the findings, it can be said that self-regulation plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between parenting styles and adolescents' social participation.