Relationship Between Perceived Parental Autonomy Support and Well-Being Among Adolescent Students: Mediating Role of Goal Orientation

Background: Parents who extend autonomy-support, respect, independence and reinforce positive behaviours, promotes a sense of agency and self-determination in adolescence to make meaningful choices. Autonomy support also helps children in acquisition of crucial life skills, and ultimately preparing them for a successful transition into adulthood.Objective: This study uses a Structural Equation Model to investigate how parental autonomy support influences adolescent well-being, exploring the mediating role of goal orientation in the process.Methods: 279 adolescents between the age group of 11 to 19 years from different schools in Odisha and Telangana State, India were recruited for the study. The adolescents were administered Perceived Parental Autonomy Support Scale (P-PASS), Goal Orientation Scale (GOS) and the Indian Scale of Adolescent Well-being (ISAW). The data underwent analysis through various methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation, structural model, and bootstrap technique.Findings: Well-being was found to be positively correlated with parental autonomy support and goal orientation. The result also revealed that a positive perception of parental autonomy support is associated with improved goal-oriented behaviour and well-being in children. Goal orientation was found to mediate PAS and WB in adolescents. In conclusion, adolescents with high parental support are more likely to have higher goal orientation, which may lead to better well-being.Keywords: Parental autonomy support, goal orientation, well-being, adolescence