Parenting Styles and Child Behavioral Development: An Analysis of Authoritarian Parenting and Conduct Disorders Among Pupils in Selected Kampala Primary Schools

Education

Conduct disorders in relation to authoritarian parenting have received limited attention in Uganda. This study aimed to examine the relationship between authoritarian parenting and conduct disorders among pupils in selected primary schools in Kampala District. A correlational survey design with a quantitative approach was used. A sample of 306 Primary seven pupils was selected through simple random sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires assessing authoritarian parenting practices and conduct disorder tendencies and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship (r = 0.35, p = 0.001) between authoritarian parenting and conduct disorders, indicating that pupils subjected to strict and controlling parenting are more likely to exhibit behavioral issues such as aggression, rule-breaking, and defiance. The statistically significant p-value (p < 0.05) confirms that this correlation is unlikely due to chance. These findings suggest that restrictive and punitive parenting approaches may contribute to negative behavioral outcomes in children. The study concludes that while authoritarian parenting enforces discipline, it may also foster emotional distress and behavioral problems, emphasizing the need for the need for more balanced parenting strategies. The implications include the necessity of parental education programs promoting positive discipline, school-based counseling interventions, and policy measures encouraging supportive parenting. Future research should explore the long-term effects of authoritarian parenting on children’s psychological and academic development.

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