The Impact of Parenting Styles on the Psycho Social Development of Undergraduate Students in the University of Nigeria Nsukka Enugu State

This study examined the impact of parenting styles on the psychosocial development of undergraduate students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Guided by three research objectives and hypotheses, the study reviewed three theories, with one selected as the theoretical framework. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 200 respondents. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents (37.5%) were raised under an authoritarian parenting style, characterized by strict rules and minimal responsiveness, followed by permissive (29%) and authoritative (22%) styles, while 11.5% experienced neglectful parenting. Notably, 48% of respondents reported that their parents consistently enforced rules, demonstrating strong parental influence. However, despite this enforcement, 54.5% of students struggled with forming healthy relationships, suggesting that rigid parenting, particularly authoritarian styles, hindered social development. Conversely, 66.5% of respondents acknowledged that their parenting style had positively contributed to building strong relationships, though 14.5% reported difficulty in doing so. Regarding self-perception of aggression, 59.5% of respondents admitted to exhibiting aggressive tendencies to some extent, whereas only 11.5% identified as non-aggressive, indicating a link between parenting styles and emotional regulation. These findings highlighted the critical role of balanced and supportive parenting in fostering healthier interpersonal relationships and emotional stability among students. Based on these insights, it was recommended that parents adopt more authoritative parenting approaches, which combined structure with emotional support, to promote well-adjusted social and emotional development. Universities were also encouraged to implement counseling programs to help students navigate challenges stemming from early childhood experiences, and awareness campaigns were suggested to educate parents on the long-term impact of their parenting styles. Furthermore, workshops and mentorship programs were proposed to equip students with the necessary skills to manage aggression and build healthy relationships, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being and academic success.