THE ROLE OF SELF-ESTEEM AS A MEDIATOR BETWEEN PERCEIVED PARENTING BEHAVIOURS AND ANXIETY AMONG EMERGING ADULTS IN MALAYSIA AND BRUNEI
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.26/no.2/art.2594Abstract
Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have experienced a significant rise in anxiety disorders, serving as a precursor to understanding the underlying risk factors. While perceived parental behaviours, namely, helicopter parenting (HP), parental acceptance-rejection (PAR), and self-esteem, have been widely studied in Western contexts, research regarding these aspects remains limited in Malaysia and Brunei. The present study aimed to examine self-esteem as a mediator of the relationship between perceived parenting behaviours and anxiety among emerging adults, while also comparing these dynamics across the two countries. It also aimed to compare the differences between Malaysians' and Bruneians' experiences of HP and PAR in relation to their self-esteem and anxiety. A cross-sectional study was conducted among emerging adults aged 18–26 from Brunei and Malaysia, with a total of 318 participants. All participants completed four validated questionnaires, namely, the helicopter parenting scale (HPS), the parental acceptance-rejection questionnaire (PARQ), the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES), and the generalised anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7). The results indicated that Bruneian participants reported higher levels of paternal rejection than Malaysians. Significant positive correlations were found between HP, parental rejection, self-esteem, and anxiety. Maternal-PAR and self-esteem emerged as significant predictors of anxiety. Notably, self-esteem significantly mediated the relationship between maternal-PAR, particularly within the indifference/neglect domain, and anxiety. Overall, the findings suggest that perceived parental behaviours contribute to anxiety development, with self-esteem serving as a key underlying mechanism. This study highlights the relevance of these factors within Asian cultural contexts, extending insights beyond primarily Western-based research.
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