Relationship between parenting style and depression among adolescent students of Wa Senior High Technical School in the Wa Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

This extensive study examined the intricate relationship between diverse parenting methods and the incidence of depression among students at Wa Senior High Technical School in the Wa Municipality, located in Ghana's Western Region. This study sought to investigate the correlation between students' degrees of depression and the varying parenting styles of their parents, specifically within the student population of Wa Senior High Technical School. The research utilized a quantitative technique with a descriptive survey design to systematically gather and analyze pertinent data. A meticulous use of stratified, proportionate, and simple random sampling methods was utilized to choose 360 participants for this comprehensive investigation. The data collection utilized a carefully designed questionnaire comprising Beck’s Depression Inventory, the Buri 1971 Parenting Authority Questionnaire, and original structured closed-ended items specifically developed for this study. The collected data was meticulously examined with SPSS software, facilitating the use of descriptive statistics, percentages, frequency distributions, and Pearson Correlation Analysis to derive meaningful insights. This study revealed that 27 students, representing 7.5% of the sample, displayed signs of severe depression, while 54 students, accounting for 15% of the sample, demonstrated indications of mild mood melancholy. A correlation was established between various parenting approaches and the levels of depression noted in students. The poll revealed that parents in this study predominantly used an authoritative parenting style. The results revealed that academic difficulties were the primary factor contributing to students' experiences of depression, with 216 students, or 60% of respondents, recognizing this as a major source of their mental health issues. A clear association was ultimately established between varying parenting approaches and the levels of depression experienced by students. Furthermore, the study determined that the authoritarian parenting style employed by parents tends to intensify depressed symptoms in pupils, whereas the liberal parenting style may mitigate these symptoms. Given these findings, it is advised that parents diligently avoid both authoritative and authoritarian parenting methods, opting instead for a more permissive approach. Moreover, it was advised that educational authorities provide remedial sessions specifically designed to assist pupils experiencing academic challenges, thus tackling one of the fundamental causes of their depression symptoms.