Effects of parental self-esteem on depression, autonomy, and career consciousness among children: A replication study focusing on the mediation of parenting behaviors

Abstract

In their study, Nishimura et al. (2022) examined the relationships between parental self-esteem and the levels of depression, autonomy, and career consciousness among children. They specifically focused on the mediating effect of parenting behaviors using triad data involving junior high school students and their parents. They proposed that these associations are mediated through parents' and children's perceptions of respecting their children's thoughts, as well as fathers' and children's perceptions of positive responsiveness. However, the models developed by Nishimura et al. ( 2022) include several paths that have been explored during their investigation. This study examined the external validity of these models using a triad of data (N=642). This study did not replicate the models of Nishimura et al. (2022). However, the relationship between fathers' self-esteem and children's career consciousness was mediated by fathers' and children's perceptions of respecting children's thoughts, and fathers' and children's perceptions of positive responsiveness. These results support the assertion of Nishimura et al.(2022) that parenting behaviors are essential for career consciousness among children.