Abstract / Summary
Abstract The present study examined associations between perceived parental acceptance-rejection, self-control, bullying, victimization, and emotional-behavioral problems among Pakistani schoolchildren. The study involved 300 children, 150 boys and 150 girls, aged 11–14, recruited from public and private schools in Lahore and Sargodha, Pakistan. In addition, children completed measures of parental acceptance-rejection, self-control, bullying, and victimization, whereas parents reported the emotional-behavioral problems of their children. A Pearson correlation analysis and a regression analysis were conducted. A greater degree of warmth/affection from both parents was associated with lower rates of bullying, victimization, and emotional-behavioral issues. Parental rejection dimensions were generally associated with bullying, victimization, and emotional-behavioral difficulties, although the specific contributions of maternal and paternal rejection dimensions varied by outcome. A higher self-control was associated with fewer emotional/behavioral problems. Findings highlight the importance of maternal and paternal relationships as well as children's self-regulation during adolescence. Moreover, it suggests the importance of examining specific aspects of parental acceptance-rejection rather than treating it as a general concept. The findings contribute evidence from a Pakistani context to the literature on family relationships, bullying involvement, and emotional-behavioral adjustment.