Influence of parental history, work-family conflict and psychological well-being on neglectful parenting practices among middle-class women in selected states in south-west, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of parental history, work-family conflicts and psychological well-being on neglectful parenting practices among middle-class women in selected states in Southwest, Nigeria. A correlational research design was engaged in the study. The sample consisted of 879 middle-class women randomly selected from south-west Nigeria. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (α=.71), Work-family Conflict Scale (α=.77), Psychological Well-being Scale (α=.89) and The Parenting Style Inventory (α=.82) were employed to generate data for the study. Data collected were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple regression model. The results indicated that the three predictor variables jointly accounted for 55% of the total variance in neglectful parenting (F_(3,875) = 361.449; R= .744; R₂= .553; Adj. R₂=.552; P<0.001). Also, the three independent variables contributed independently to the prediction of neglectful parenting: Parental history (β=.162; t=13.004, P<0.001); work-family conflict (β=.246; t=7.725, P<0.001) and psychological well-being (β= -.153; t= -13.762, P<0.001). The relationship between parental history and neglectful parenting as well as work-family conflict and neglectful parenting were positive while the association between psychological well-being and neglectful parenting was negative. The three independent variables examined in this study are moderately sturdy to influence neglectful parenting. Therefore, the study suggested among other things that neglectful parenting practices can reduce when the employers of labour create family-friendly policies that allow mothers to care for their children and counselling psychologists educate parents on effective childrearing practices.

Keywords: Parental History, Work-Family Conflict, Psychological-Well-being and Neglectful Parenting.