Strength-based parenting and social-emotional wellbeing in Turkish young people: does school belonging matter?

ABSTRACT Objective While a link between strength-based parenting and social-emotional wellbeing has been previously established, little is known about the role that school belonging plays in moderating this relationship. The present study examined the mediating and moderating role of school belonging in the association of strength-based parenting with social-emotional wellbeing among young people Method The current study surveyed 343 students in grades 6-8 from Turkey, using the Strength-Based Parenting scale, Social and Emotional Health Survey-Primary, and School Belongingness Scale. Results Mediation analyses showed that strength-based parenting predicted school belonging, gratitude, zest, optimism, and persistence and that school belonging mediated the effect of strength-based parenting on social-emotional wellbeing. Moderation analysis identified the predictive impact of strength-based parenting on student social-emotional wellbeing, only for those whose belonging was low to moderate. Conclusions Overall, these results indicate the importance of school belonging on youth social-emotional wellbeing in the context of parental experiences. Discussed are the implications of the current study that can inform the policy and practice. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: Strength-based parenting is an essential positive psychological construct for youth mental health and wellbeing. School belonging is associated with various school-based and quality of life outcomes, and a satisfied need for belonging in school foster youth social-emotional health. The strongest predictors of school belonging are teacher support and positive personal characteristics; however, it is recommended that schools actively engage parents in fostering their children’s school belonging. What this topic adds: The present study emphasizes the importance of strength-based parenting strategies targeting to promote social-emotional wellbeing in school settings. School belonging is an essential mechanism that may help to understand the effect of strength-based parenting on social-emotional wellbeing among young people. The study results suggest there is a need to design more comprehensive strategies for improving adolescent mental health and wellbeing.