The effects of parenting differences on psychological resilience in adolescent students: The role of gratitude

Abstract

Previous studies demonstrated that parenting differences between fathers and mothers may trigger family conflict, which is a risk factor for failing to develop gratitude and psychological resilience in their offspring. Gratitude has also been shown to be a protective factor for developing psychological resilience. However, little is known about the role of gratitude in parenting differences and psychological resilience. This study examined the effects of parenting differences on gratitude and psychological resilience in adolescents and the mediating role of gratitude on the relationship between parenting differences and psychological resilience. A sample of 1117 Chinese adolescents aged 11–19 years (mean age = 14.32; SD = 1.10) participated in this study and completed measures of parenting, gratitude, and psychological resilience. The results indicated that for the same level of parenting, compared with parenting consistency on a given parenting dimension, parenting differences on that same parenting dimension had more negative effects on gratitude and psychological resilience in adolescents. The results also revealed that gratitude mediated the relationship between parenting differences and psychological resilience in adolescents. These findings can contribute to a better understanding of the inner mechanism of parenting differences affecting psychological resilience of adolescents and provide guidance for effectively improving adolescent individual psychological resilience.