UNDERSTANDING ADOLESCENTS’ SELF-CONCEPT AND SELF-COMPASSION IN DIGITAL CONTEXTS: THE ROLE OF POSITIVE PARENTING
Chandrani Goswami1, Dr. Chandita Baruah2
1Research Scholar, 2Head and Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology, Assam Don Bosco University- Tapesia, Sonapur, India
Abstract: In this contemporary ‘digital era’, adolescents are easily exposed to online environments that shape how they perceive themselves. Digital interactions develop social comparison and feedback-seeking attitude, making it important to form a stable self-concept and self-compassion during adolescence. Within this context, parents have a significant role in adolescent’s way of looking for their identity and fostering a supportive environment. From the perspective of Developmental Psychology and Self-determination theory, the present study aims to examine the relationship between positive parenting practices and the development of self-concept and self-compassion among adolescents. The study explores how parents’ nurturing, involving, and autonomy-encouraging behaviors contribute to adolescents’ internalization of self-concept and self-compassion. Adolescents aged 10 to 13 years and their parents were considered the sample of the study. The variables were assessed using the Self-Concept Questionnaire, Neff’s Self-Compassion scale and Nicomachus Positive parenting scale. The findings highlight the importance of positive parenting in digitally mediated contexts, which may serve as protective factors that help adolescents maintain a stable sense of self and regulate their emotional challenges effectively. The study findings provide important implications for parenting interventions and mental health promotion in school settings required for growth and advancement.
Keywords: positive parenting, adolescents, self-concept, self-compassion, digital era
VOLUME 10 ISSUE 04 2026: 396 – 403