The relationships of parenting styles, self-esteem and rejection sensitivity: a latent profile analysis

Abstract

A large number of theoretical reasoning and empirical studies have shown that both parenting style and self-esteem have an impact on the formation of rejection sensitivity, and there may be more complex mechanisms between the above variables. This study aims to explore the co-existing impacts of parenting style and self-esteem on rejection sensitivity. It is a cross-sectional study and 1341 Chinese college students completed a questionnaire on parenting style, rejection sensitivity, and self-esteem. Latent profile Analysis (LPA) would be used to examine the model. The profiles of parenting effecting self-esteem showed a three-solution profile. Profile 1 (high parental control group) received highest parental control and lowest self-esteem. Profile 2 (medium parental control group) had moderate level of parenting styles and self-esteem. Profile 3 (low parental control group) had the lowest parental control, highest care, encouragement, and self-esteem. The profiles of parenting and self-esteem effecting rejection sensitivity also showed a three-solution profile. Profile 1a (high parental control and low self-esteem group) showed highest rejection sensitivity. Students in Profile 2a (low parent control and high self-esteem group) showed lowest rejection sensitivity. Students in 3a (moderate parental control and self-esteem group) received moderate levels of rejection sensitivity. Current research has enriched our understanding of whether parenting styles and self-esteem coexist and how they affect rejection sensitivity. Provide empirical support to guide parents in educating their children, helping children improve self-esteem, and reducing rejection sensitivity.