New Directions for Child and Adolescent Development

This study examined the direct and indirect associations between maternal parenting styles and multidimensional self-concept among Libyan Arab mothers ranging in age from 18 to 52 years (M = 31.47, SD = 8.26), reflecting associations between parenting practices and psychosocial functioning within Arab family contexts.Parenting practices were assessed using the Arabic adaptation of the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), and self-concept was measured using the Arabic version of the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale (MSCS).Findings indicated that authoritative parenting was positively associated with all self-concept domains, whereas authoritarian parenting was negatively associated with self-concept outcomes.Permissive parenting demonstrated weaker but generally positive associations with several self-concept dimensions.The path-analytic model supported theoretically meaningful direct and indirect associations between maternal parenting styles and multidimensional self-concept domains.Academic, social, and emotional self-concept emerged as important pathways linking parenting practices with broader competence and family-related self-concept outcomes.Specifically, authoritative parenting was associated with positive direct effects on competence and academic self-concept, as well as indirect effects on competence through academic self-concept and on family self-concept through social self-concept.In contrast, authoritarian parenting predicted negative direct effects on affective and competence-related self-concept, alongside indirect effects through affective and social self-concept domains.Permissive parenting showed weaker direct effects on social and competence self-concept, with modest indirect effects through academic and social self-concept.These findings support hierarchical models of self-concept associations and highlight culturally specific pathways linking parenting practices to psychosocial functioning in Arab family contexts.The study provides novel empirical evidence from an underrepresented population and underscores the relevance of parenting practices for family-focused policies, parenting education, and preventive interventions aimed at promoting healthy psychosocial functioning in collectivistic societies.