Parental communication patterns and psychological well-being among in-school adolescents

Augustine Idowu Omoruan (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso)
Janet Fumilayo Omoruan (University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria)
Shuaib Abolakale Muhammed (University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria)
Afeez Folorunsho Lawal (Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria)

Academic Journal of Psychology and Counseling
Vol. 7 No. 2 (2026): May 2026 - October 2026

Parent–adolescent communication plays a vital role in adolescents’ psychological well-being, yet evidence on specific communication patterns in Nigeria remains limited. This study examined the prevalence of parental communication styles and their influence on the psychological well-being of in-school adolescents, anchored by the Family Communication Patterns Theory. A sample of 200 senior secondary school students was randomly selected. Data were collected with an adapted Parental Communication Patterns Questionnaire (PCPQ) and a psychological well-being scale. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression were used for analysis. Findings showed that consensual (M = 17.07, SD = 2.43) and protective (M = 17.30, SD = 2.98) communication were the most common. Regression results indicated that consensual (β = 0.263, p = 0.011) and laissez-faire (β = 0.628, p < .001) significantly predicted psychological well-being. Pluralistic and protective patterns were not significant. The study recommends parent-focused communication workshops in schools and communities.