Parenting styles and emotional attachment among parents of early adolescents in Aldeã São Miquel, Timor Leste

Abstract

Background: Parenting practices and emotional attachment are important family-level determinants of adolescent mental health, emotional regulation, and social adjustment. In Timor-Leste, parenting occurs within a post-conflict, resource-limited, and strongly family-oriented context, yet evidence on parents’ lived experiences with early adolescents remains limited. Objectives: This study explored parents’ experiences in applying parenting styles and building emotional attachment with early adolescent children in Aldeã São Miquel, Timor-Leste. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological design was used. Ten parents of adolescents aged 11–15 years were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were obtained through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a six-step thematic process supported by NVivo 12 Plus. Trustworthiness was strengthened through cross-participant source triangulation, comparison of interview data with field notes, and an audit trail. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Universitas ’Aisyiyah Yogyakarta. Results: Three interconnected themes were identified. First, parenting practices reflected discipline, future orientation, and attempts to balance firmness with adolescents’ growing autonomy. Second, emotional attachment was maintained through daily communication, physical and emotional reassurance, parental self-control during conflict, and involvement in children’s social lives. Third, parenting was shaped by local family and religious values, peer and environmental influences, parents’ previous adverse experiences, single-parent responsibilities, and work-related separation. Warmth and responsiveness frequently coexisted with firm control, indicating that parenting practices were dynamic rather than limited to a single fixed category. Conclusions: Supportive communication, consistent boundaries, and emotionally responsive parenting may strengthen adolescents’ sense of security and psychosocial well-being. Community-based health services should incorporate culturally appropriate parenting education, early identification of parental distress, and referral pathways for families affected by trauma or limited social support. Midwives, nurses, and other primary health workers can play a strategic role in strengthening parent–adolescent relationships.