Parental Satisfaction and Parenting Style Among Iranian Parents of Children and Adolescents with Conduct Disorder: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Conduct disorder (CD) in childhood and adolescence is closely associated with family-related factors, particularly parenting style and parental satisfaction. Examining these parental characteristics and their association with CD severity and sociodemographic factors may contribute to improved assessment and intervention strategies. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the associations among parental satisfaction, parenting style, ideal parenting style, and CD severity in children and adolescents, while also adjusting for selected sociodemographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 60 parents of children and adolescents diagnosed with CD who were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Socio-Demographic Information Questionnaire, the Dibble and Cohen Parent Report, the Kansas Parental Satisfaction Scale, and the Rating Scale for Diagnosis of Conduct Disorder. Statistical analyses, including correlation and Bayesian analyses, were conducted using SPSS version 26. Results: Most participants reported normal levels of parental satisfaction (66.7%), parenting style (51.7%), and ideal parenting style (65.0%). Children and adolescents exhibited a considerable level of CD severity (146.42 ± 17.14). CD severity was significantly negatively correlated with parental satisfaction (r = -0.27, P = 0.03), parenting style (r = -0.44, P = 0.001), and ideal parenting style (r = -0.42, P = 0.001). Bayesian analysis further indicated meaningful associations and predictive relationships between parental variables and sociodemographic characteristics. Higher parental educational and economic status was positively associated with parental satisfaction, parenting style, and ideal parenting style, whereas parental mental disorders and increasing age were negatively associated with these variables. Conclusions: Parenting-related factors, particularly parental satisfaction and parenting style, are significantly associated with CD severity. These findings underscore the importance of considering family characteristics when assessing and managing CD and related outcomes.