Effect OF Single Parenting ON Emotional Maturity, Perceived Loneliness AND Aggression IN Adolescents

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the emotional maturity, perceived loneliness, and Aggression of adolescents in single-parent households. It was hypothesized that single parenting would impact the emotional maturity, perceived loneliness, and Aggression of adolescents. A total of 390 adolescents participated (195 males and 195 females, aged 13-18, M=16.63, SD=0.87), selected through purposive convenient sampling. Measures included the Emotional Maturity Scale, the UCLA Loneliness Scale V-III, and Aggression Scale of Pamela Orpinas (Orpinas, 2001). Results revealed that adolescents living with single mothers experienced greater perceived loneliness compared to those living with single fathers. Additionally, adolescents living with[1] fathers exhibited lower emotional maturity. Furthermore, adolescents from single-parent households showed significantly lower self-esteem. A significant, negative, but weak to moderate relationship was found between perceived loneliness and emotional maturity (r=-.28). Demographic analysis indicated significant differences in emotional maturity, perceived loneliness, and Aggression between males and females. Males are more aggressive than female.  The findings of this study have practical implications for clinical settings, offering insights for counseling adolescents who face conflicts with absent or stepparents or who experience loneliness in the presence of their parents. Moreover, these findings can inform therapeutic interventions to address disrupted emotional maturity levels. Additionally, they contribute to the psychological community by providing avenues for addressing relevant issues.