Exploring the Impact of Parenting Styles on Emotion Regulation Across South African Generations

Abstract

This study explores the integral relationship between parenting styles (PS) and emotion regulation (ER) across four generations (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Generation Y, and Generation Z) within the context of South Africa (SA) for Black Africans, Coloureds, and Indian ethnicities. Numerous sources of literature have emphasised the impact of parenting on ER; however, a gap is apparent in understanding how these relationships progress from childhood into adulthood, especially in the SA context. This mixed-method study utilised the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ), complemented by semi-structured interviews. The findings gave insight into Authoritarian (strict) parenting styles being dominant across generations, with Generation Z experiencing higher signs of emotion dysregulation, especially when exposed to parental psychopathology. On the contrary, Generation Y demonstrated the positive effects of Authoritative parenting styles on ER. In older generations (Generation X and Baby Boomers), themes of grappling with the repercussions of apartheid, socio-economic challenges, traditional norms, and prioritising survival over emotional expression and reflection came out. The study shed light on generational contextual factors indigenous to the SA context. As older generations would express warmth through action (community connections, nurturing care, food), while younger generations increasingly sought emotional connection through open communication and understanding. The results advocate for a further need to explore these relationships, and therefore, future interventions should focus on fostering emotional validation and supportive relationships across the generations. Overall, this study emphasises the subjective socio-cultural context of SA in discussions about parenting and ER. In the process of de-centring from Eurocentric norms, it highlights the diversity of experiences in the development of emotional regulation across the lifespan