Impacts of parenting styles on children's creative tendencies in Kenya: The moderating role of family values

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the various impacts of different parenting styles on the creativity levels exhibited by children in Kenya. Specifically, the research aimed to examine and analyze the moderating role of family values in this relationship. A sample of 449 participants aged 10 to 15 was selected. The study employed The Parenting Styles Questionnaire, the Williams Creative Aptitude Test (CAT), and the Family Values Scale to assess parenting approaches and children's creative capabilities. Analysis of the collected data yielded significant findings, revealing a substantial correlation between the different parenting styles and the creative inclinations of the children involved in the study. Furthermore, the effects of these parenting styles were found to vary in intensity based on the established levels of family values present in each household. Specifically, the study identified that factors such as parental rejection, emotional warmth, and overprotection pronounced influenced children's creative tendencies, particularly in contexts where family values were categorized as moderate to high. These findings underscore the importance of considering the interplay between cultural and familial values when examining how parenting affects children's developmental outcomes, particularly in fostering creativity. The results indicate that parental engagement with children, shaped by values and cultural context, plays a crucial role in facilitating or impeding youth creative expression. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the critical importance of aligning parenting practices with the overarching cultural values of a community. Such alignment has the potential to enhance and nurture children's creative tendencies, especially within the unique cultural framework of the Kenyan context.