Exploring the Association between Parenting Styles and Attitudes towards High-Risk Behaviors among Male Students in Abyek City: The Mediating Influence of Self-Efficacy and Psychological Hardiness

Efforts and planning towards reducing high-risk behaviors are essential for the well-being of individuals in society. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between perceived parenting styles and tendencies towards high-risk behaviors. This is done with the help of two mediating factors- general self-efficacy and psychological hardiness of students. The study intends to explore the structural relationship between the aforementioned factors and their impact on the physical and mental health of individuals in the community.

The research method used in this study was correlation modeling of structural equations. The statistical population of the study consisted of all male high school students in Abyek city, which totaled 1475 individuals. Through a two-stage cluster sampling method, a sample size of 220 individuals was randomly selected. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed Buri's parents' authority (1992), the risk-taking behavior of Iranian adolescents Zade Mohammadi et al. (2007), Scherer et al.'s general self-efficacy (1982), and Ahvaz's psychological hardiness (1998). The data was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient, path analysis, and bootstrap method.

The model that examines the influence of perceived parenting styles, general self-efficacy, and psychological hardiness on high-risk behaviors was a good fit. Perceived parenting styles have a direct relationship with high-risk behaviors. Parenting styles, mediated by general self-efficacy, are indirectly related to the tendency towards risky behaviors. Perceived parenting styles also have an indirect relationship with the tendency towards risky behaviors through psychological toughness. Overall, all the variables together can predict 53% of changes in the tendency towards high-risk behaviors.

fter analyzing the results, it is evident that to prevent high-risk behaviors in adolescents, it is essential to strengthen individual components such as general self-efficacy and psychological hardiness. To do so parents should be educated and use authoritative parenting methods. By doing so, parents can effectively take action to prevent high-risk behaviors in their adolescents.