Parenting Practices and Quality of Life in Dutch and Portuguese Adolescents: A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine differences in Quality of life (QoL) and parenting practices, as well as the impact of parenting practices on QoL in Dutch and Portuguese adolescents. A total of 168 Portuguese (44.64% girls, 55.36% boys) and 155 Dutch adolescents (55.68% girls, 44.32% boys) aged 12-17 years old (M = 14.44, SD = 1.65) completed questionnaires about QoL (Kidscreen-27), several dimensions of parental parenting practices, and socio-demographic information. No significant differences were found between countries on general QoL. On the subscale for school environment, scores were higher for Dutch adolescents. Portuguese adolescents reported that their mothers showed more positive parenting, psychological control and behavioral control than did Dutch adolescents. Dutch fathers showed more responsiveness and harsh discipline, whereas Portuguese fathers showed more psychological control. Parenting practices seem to be culturally dependant. Parenting practices, especially positive parenting and behavioral control, influenced adolescents' QoL regardless of nationality.