Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences

Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences

Constructing and Validating of Parenting- Styles Training Package Based on Life Scripts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Maryam Al-Sadat Golestaneh Mirdamadi 1
Seyed Esmaeil Mousavi 2
1 MA in Counseling, Department of Counseling, Islamic Azad University Khomeini Shahr, Esfahan, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, Islamic Azad University Khomeini Shahr, Esfahan, Iran
10.22077/qrbs.2025.9524.1101
Abstract
Objective: The objective of the present study is to design and validate an educational program on parenting styles based on life scripts, including the identification of influential scripts, delineation of the “script ↔ style” relationship, development of culturally sensitive educational components, and provision of a practical tool for family psychologists aimed at enhancing parent- child interactions.
Method: This qualitative study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 19 mothers from Isfahan (purposeful sampling continued until theoretical saturation). Data analysis first followed Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenology (extracting significant statements and initial clusters), and then proceeded with open, axial, and selective coding to model the “script ↔ style” relationship. MAXQDA was used to organize the data. Trustworthiness was ensured through data-source triangulation, participant checking, and peer auditing. The content validity of the training package was evaluated and confirmed by five experts (CVR and CVI indices within acceptable ranges; κ = 0.81 for inter-rater agreement).
Findings: The analyses yielded seven main themes and sixty subthemes. Seven life scripts including “Do Not Be Important”, “Be Perfect”, “Do Nothing”, “Do Not Be Yourself”, “Do Not Be a Child”, “Do Not Grow Up”, and “Do Not Succeed” were mapped onto distinct parenting patterns, resulting in a practical “parental script ↔ parenting style” framework. This mapping served as the basis for designing the educational package, which integrates, for each script, learning objectives, cognitive-emotional exercises, and behavioral strategies (autonomy support, constructive boundary- setting, and age-appropriate responsibility delegation).
Finding: Qualitative evidence indicates that parents’ life scripts underlie certain aspects of their parenting styles and may be reinforced within the cultural context of Iran. An effective intervention must target two levels simultaneously: the restructuring of maladaptive and unconscious scripts and the improvement of overt parenting behaviors. The developed package provides a practical, culturally grounded framework for reducing the intergenerational transmission of maladaptive patterns and enhancing parent- child interactions. A quantitative evaluation of its effectiveness is recommended for future studies.
Keywords
parenting styles
life scripts
cognitive–behavioral intervention
parent training
qualitative research
Subjects

References

Alagla, M., Al-Hussyeen, A., & Alhowaish, L. (2021). Parenting styles and preschool children's behaviour in a Saudi Arabian postgraduate dental setting. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry, 22(2), 163-173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-020-00540-y

Ali, E., Letourneau, N., & Benzies, K. (2021). Parent–child attachment: A principle- based concept analysis. SAGE Open Nursing, 7. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608211009000

Asghari, F., Tarvardi Zadeh, Sh., & Saadat, S. (2015). The relationship between parenting patterns and attachment styles with psychological well-being in female students at Payame Noor University of Talesh. Beyhagh, 19(3), 57-67. https://beyhagh.medsab.ac.ir/article_698.html?lang=en

Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56-95. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431691111004

Berne, E. (1988). Games people play: The psychology of human relationships. Grove Press. https://www.amazon.com/Games-People-Play-Psychology-Relationships/dp/0141040270

Besharat, M. A., Azizi, K., & Poursharifi, H. (2011). The relationship between parenting styles and perfectionism in children: A study of Iranian families. Journal of Family Research, 7(2). https://jfr.sbu.ac.ir/article_95961.html

Derakhshanpour, F., Khaki, S., Shahini, N., Vakili, M. A., & Saghebi, S. A. (2016). The relationship between mothers’ mental health and parenting style in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 18(3), 151-155. https://doi.org/10.22038/jfmh.2016.6876

Doinita, N., & Nijloveanu, D. (2015). Attachment and parenting styles. Procedia- Social and Behavioral Sciences, 203, 199-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.08.282

Ebrahimy, I., & Zeinali, A. (2018). The model of causal relationship between parenting styles, attachment styles, and self-regulation among drug dependent individuals. Addiction Research (etiadpajohi), 12(45), 91-112. http://etiadpajohi.ir/article-1-1682-en.html

Eftekhari, H., Rezaeifard, A., & Izadi, S. (2024). Investigating the relationship between parenting style and academic achievement with the mediating role of students’ self- esteem. Research in Instructional Methods, 2(3), 141-171. https://jrim.qom.ac.ir/article_3205.html?lang=en

Esmaeili, F., Tahmsebi, S., Mohammadi Arya, A., & Soltani, P. R. (2021). The relationship between parenting styles and moral development of preschool children mediated by children’s attachment. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal, 22(3), 362-377. https://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2854-en.html

Farzadi, F., Behroozi, N., & Shahni Yeylagh, M. (2021). The causal relationship between parenting styles, attachment styles, and indiscipline with the mediation of emotional self-regulation, social skills, and theory of mind. Family Psychology, 3(2), 3-16. https://www.ijfpjournal.ir/article_245514.html?lang=en

Fooladi, F., Hashemi, Z., & Meraji Saeed, P. S. (2025). Structural models of executive functions, parenting styles, moral development and empathy. The Journal of New Thoughts on Education, 21(2), 7-19. https://jontoe.alzahra.ac.ir/article_8387.html?lang=en

Fowler, J. C. H., Groat, M., & Ulanday, M. (2013). Attachment style and treatment completion among psychiatric inpatients with substance use disorders. The American Journal on Addictions, 22(1), 14-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.00318.x

Hamidi, S., & Haji Alizadeh, K. (2017). A comparison of personality traits, attachment styles, and parenting styles in socially harmed girls and control group girls in Bandar Abbas. Psychology and Educational Sciences Studies, 3(2), 84-94. http://uctjournals.com/farsi/archive/psychology/1396/summer/8.pdf

Karavasilis, L., Doyle, A., & Markiewicz, D. (2016). Associations between parenting style and attachment to mother in middle childhood and adolescence. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 27(2), 153-164. https://doi.org/10.1080/0165025024400015

Kordestani, D., Pourhossein, R., Amiri, M., & Salari, M. (2012). The relationship between parenting styles and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with children's attachment styles. Psychological Sciences, 41, 25-41. https://www.magiran.com/paper/1080680/the-relationship-of-parenting-styles-and-attention-deficit-and-hyperactivity-disorder-with-children-s-attachment-styles?lang=en

Maccoby, E. E. (1992). The role of parents in the socialization of children: A historical overview. Developmental Psychology, 28(6), 1006-1017. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.6.1006

Merikangas, K. R., Nakamura, E. F., & Kessler, R. C. (2009). Epidemiology of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 11(1), 7–20. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2009.11.1/krmerikangas

Mirderikvand, F., Sami, A., Mohammadi, A., Ahmadi, M., & Taheri, M. (2016). Predicting the parenting styles based on attachment styles and emotional intelligence. Journal of Health Care, 18(2), 120-130. https://hcjournal.arums.ac.ir/article-1-546-en.html

Millings, A., Walsh, J., Hepper, E., & O'Brien, M. (2012). Good partner, good parent: Responsiveness mediates the link between romantic attachment and parenting style. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39(2), 170-180. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167212468333

Mirdamadi, M., Hassanzadeh, S., Gholamali Lavasani, M., & Vakili, S. (2022). Parenting methods of mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review. Empowering Exceptional Children, 13(1), 38-45. https://www.ceciranj.ir/article_139627.html?lang=en

Mohrabinia, M., Talebzadeh Shushtari, L., & Khorshidzadeh, M. (2022). Development of a competent parenting education package with a schema therapy approach. Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences, 1(1), 1-18. https://qrbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2057.html?lang=en

Nejati, A., Mousavi, R., Roshan Chelci, R., & Mahmoodi Gharaei, J. (2016). The effectiveness of child- parent relationship therapy (CPRT) group interventions on improving parenting in mothers of children aged 8 to 11 with attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Clinical Psychology, 8(1), 37-49. https://jcp.semnan.ac.ir/article_2225.html?lang=en

Rahimi Ahmadabadi, S., Kalantari, M., Abedi, M. R., & Modarres Gharavi, S. M. (2017). The role of parent- child relationship, attachment styles, and family functioning in the development of gender dissatisfaction. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 20(1), 49-57. https://jfmh.mums.ac.ir/article_10058.html?lang=en

Rezaei, M. A., Taherifar, Z., & Farahani, H. (2022). The relationship between parenting styles and social anxiety symptoms: The mediating role of interpersonal sensitivity and the moderating role of suppression. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 13(3), 311-325. https://japr.ut.ac.ir/article_90121.html?lang=en

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self- determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well- being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68

Sanders, M. R., & Prinz, R. J. (2005). The Triple P system: A multi- level, evidence- based, population approach to the prevention and treatment of behavioral and emotional problems in children. The Register Report, 31, 42-46. https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:108241

Sepahi, M., Rastgoo Moghadam, M., & Asadi Younesi, M. R. (2023). The role of parents in satisfying the basic psychological needs of children: A systematic review. Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences, 2(1), 59-72. https://doi.org/10.22077/qrbs.2024.7803.1044

Schiffrin, H. H., Liss, M., Miles- McLean, H., Geary, K. A., Erchull, M. J., & Tashner, T. (2014). Helping or hovering? The effects of helicopter parenting on college students’ well- being. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(3), 548-557. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9716-3

Stewart, I., & Joines, V. (2012). TA today: A new introduction to transactional analysis (2nd ed.). Lifespace Publishing. https://www.amazon.com/Ta-Today-Introduction-Transactional-Analysis/dp/1870244028

Tardast, K., Amanelahi, A., Rajabi, G., Aslani, K., & Shiralinia, Kh. (2021). The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment-based parenting education on children's anxiety and the parenting stress of mothers. Payesh, 20(1), 91-107. http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-1387-en.html

Vos, J., & Van Rijn, B. (2021). The evidence- based conceptual model of transactional analysis: a focused review of the research literature. Transactional Analysis Journal, 51(2), 160-201. https://doi.org/10.1080/03621537.2021.1904364

Vos, J., & Van Rijn, B. (2022). The effectiveness of transactional analysis treatments and their predictors: A systematic literature review and explorative meta-analysis. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1-37. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678221117111

Zarrinkelk, H. R., & Tabatabaei Borzouki, S. (2012). The relationship between attachment styles and perceived parenting styles with spiritual experiences and religious practices. Developmental Psychology (Iranian Journal of Developmental Psychology), 31(8), 305-313. https://journals.iau.ir/article_512258.html?lang=en

Zakaei Far, A., & Mousazadeh, T. (2020). The role of parenting styles in predicting social development of preschool children aged 5 and 6. Social Psychological Research, 10(37), 87-100. https://www.socialpsychology.ir/article_109698.html?lang=en

References
Alagla, M., Al-Hussyeen, A., & Alhowaish, L. (2021). Parenting styles and preschool children's behaviour in a Saudi Arabian postgraduate dental setting. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry, 22(2), 163-173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-020-00540-y
Ali, E., Letourneau, N., & Benzies, K. (2021). Parent–child attachment: A principle- based concept analysis. SAGE Open Nursing, 7. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608211009000
Asghari, F., Tarvardi Zadeh, Sh., & Saadat, S. (2015). The relationship between parenting patterns and attachment styles with psychological well-being in female students at Payame Noor University of Talesh. Beyhagh, 19(3), 57-67. https://beyhagh.medsab.ac.ir/article_698.html?lang=en
Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56-95. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431691111004
Berne, E. (1988). Games people play: The psychology of human relationships. Grove Press. https://www.amazon.com/Games-People-Play-Psychology-Relationships/dp/0141040270
Besharat, M. A., Azizi, K., & Poursharifi, H. (2011). The relationship between parenting styles and perfectionism in children: A study of Iranian families. Journal of Family Research, 7(2). https://jfr.sbu.ac.ir/article_95961.html
Derakhshanpour, F., Khaki, S., Shahini, N., Vakili, M. A., & Saghebi, S. A. (2016). The relationship between mothers’ mental health and parenting style in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 18(3), 151-155. https://doi.org/10.22038/jfmh.2016.6876
Doinita, N., & Nijloveanu, D. (2015). Attachment and parenting styles. Procedia- Social and Behavioral Sciences, 203, 199-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.08.282
Ebrahimy, I., & Zeinali, A. (2018). The model of causal relationship between parenting styles, attachment styles, and self-regulation among drug dependent individuals. Addiction Research (etiadpajohi), 12(45), 91-112. http://etiadpajohi.ir/article-1-1682-en.html
Eftekhari, H., Rezaeifard, A., & Izadi, S. (2024). Investigating the relationship between parenting style and academic achievement with the mediating role of students’ self- esteem. Research in Instructional Methods, 2(3), 141-171. https://jrim.qom.ac.ir/article_3205.html?lang=en
Esmaeili, F., Tahmsebi, S., Mohammadi Arya, A., & Soltani, P. R. (2021). The relationship between parenting styles and moral development of preschool children mediated by children’s attachment. Iranian Rehabilitation Journal, 22(3), 362-377. https://rehabilitationj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-2854-en.html
Farzadi, F., Behroozi, N., & Shahni Yeylagh, M. (2021). The causal relationship between parenting styles, attachment styles, and indiscipline with the mediation of emotional self-regulation, social skills, and theory of mind. Family Psychology, 3(2), 3-16. https://www.ijfpjournal.ir/article_245514.html?lang=en
Fooladi, F., Hashemi, Z., & Meraji Saeed, P. S. (2025). Structural models of executive functions, parenting styles, moral development and empathy. The Journal of New Thoughts on Education, 21(2), 7-19. https://jontoe.alzahra.ac.ir/article_8387.html?lang=en
Fowler, J. C. H., Groat, M., & Ulanday, M. (2013). Attachment style and treatment completion among psychiatric inpatients with substance use disorders. The American Journal on Addictions, 22(1), 14-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.00318.x
Hamidi, S., & Haji Alizadeh, K. (2017). A comparison of personality traits, attachment styles, and parenting styles in socially harmed girls and control group girls in Bandar Abbas. Psychology and Educational Sciences Studies, 3(2), 84-94. http://uctjournals.com/farsi/archive/psychology/1396/summer/8.pdf
Karavasilis, L., Doyle, A., & Markiewicz, D. (2016). Associations between parenting style and attachment to mother in middle childhood and adolescence. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 27(2), 153-164. https://doi.org/10.1080/0165025024400015
Kordestani, D., Pourhossein, R., Amiri, M., & Salari, M. (2012). The relationship between parenting styles and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with children's attachment styles. Psychological Sciences, 41, 25-41. https://www.magiran.com/paper/1080680/the-relationship-of-parenting-styles-and-attention-deficit-and-hyperactivity-disorder-with-children-s-attachment-styles?lang=en
Maccoby, E. E. (1992). The role of parents in the socialization of children: A historical overview. Developmental Psychology, 28(6), 1006-1017. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.6.1006
Merikangas, K. R., Nakamura, E. F., & Kessler, R. C. (2009). Epidemiology of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 11(1), 7–20. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2009.11.1/krmerikangas
Mirderikvand, F., Sami, A., Mohammadi, A., Ahmadi, M., & Taheri, M. (2016). Predicting the parenting styles based on attachment styles and emotional intelligence. Journal of Health Care, 18(2), 120-130. https://hcjournal.arums.ac.ir/article-1-546-en.html
Millings, A., Walsh, J., Hepper, E., & O'Brien, M. (2012). Good partner, good parent: Responsiveness mediates the link between romantic attachment and parenting style. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39(2), 170-180. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167212468333
Mirdamadi, M., Hassanzadeh, S., Gholamali Lavasani, M., & Vakili, S. (2022). Parenting methods of mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review. Empowering Exceptional Children, 13(1), 38-45. https://www.ceciranj.ir/article_139627.html?lang=en
Mohrabinia, M., Talebzadeh Shushtari, L., & Khorshidzadeh, M. (2022). Development of a competent parenting education package with a schema therapy approach. Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences, 1(1), 1-18. https://qrbs.birjand.ac.ir/article_2057.html?lang=en
Nejati, A., Mousavi, R., Roshan Chelci, R., & Mahmoodi Gharaei, J. (2016). The effectiveness of child- parent relationship therapy (CPRT) group interventions on improving parenting in mothers of children aged 8 to 11 with attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Clinical Psychology, 8(1), 37-49. https://jcp.semnan.ac.ir/article_2225.html?lang=en
Rahimi Ahmadabadi, S., Kalantari, M., Abedi, M. R., & Modarres Gharavi, S. M. (2017). The role of parent- child relationship, attachment styles, and family functioning in the development of gender dissatisfaction. Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health, 20(1), 49-57. https://jfmh.mums.ac.ir/article_10058.html?lang=en
Rezaei, M. A., Taherifar, Z., & Farahani, H. (2022). The relationship between parenting styles and social anxiety symptoms: The mediating role of interpersonal sensitivity and the moderating role of suppression. Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 13(3), 311-325. https://japr.ut.ac.ir/article_90121.html?lang=en
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self- determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well- being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
Sanders, M. R., & Prinz, R. J. (2005). The Triple P system: A multi- level, evidence- based, population approach to the prevention and treatment of behavioral and emotional problems in children. The Register Report, 31, 42-46. https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:108241
Sepahi, M., Rastgoo Moghadam, M., & Asadi Younesi, M. R. (2023). The role of parents in satisfying the basic psychological needs of children: A systematic review. Qualitative Research in Behavioral Sciences, 2(1), 59-72. https://doi.org/10.22077/qrbs.2024.7803.1044
Schiffrin, H. H., Liss, M., Miles- McLean, H., Geary, K. A., Erchull, M. J., & Tashner, T. (2014). Helping or hovering? The effects of helicopter parenting on college students’ well- being. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(3), 548-557. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9716-3
Stewart, I., & Joines, V. (2012). TA today: A new introduction to transactional analysis (2nd ed.). Lifespace Publishing. https://www.amazon.com/Ta-Today-Introduction-Transactional-Analysis/dp/1870244028
Tardast, K., Amanelahi, A., Rajabi, G., Aslani, K., & Shiralinia, Kh. (2021). The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment-based parenting education on children's anxiety and the parenting stress of mothers. Payesh, 20(1), 91-107. http://payeshjournal.ir/article-1-1387-en.html
Vos, J., & Van Rijn, B. (2021). The evidence- based conceptual model of transactional analysis: a focused review of the research literature. Transactional Analysis Journal, 51(2), 160-201. https://doi.org/10.1080/03621537.2021.1904364
Vos, J., & Van Rijn, B. (2022). The effectiveness of transactional analysis treatments and their predictors: A systematic literature review and explorative meta-analysis. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1-37. https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678221117111
Zarrinkelk, H. R., & Tabatabaei Borzouki, S. (2012). The relationship between attachment styles and perceived parenting styles with spiritual experiences and religious practices. Developmental Psychology (Iranian Journal of Developmental Psychology), 31(8), 305-313. https://journals.iau.ir/article_512258.html?lang=en
Zakaei Far, A., & Mousazadeh, T. (2020). The role of parenting styles in predicting social development of preschool children aged 5 and 6. Social Psychological Research, 10(37), 87-100. https://www.socialpsychology.ir/article_109698.html?lang=en

  • Receive Date 01 June 2025
  • Revise Date 10 November 2025
  • Accept Date 22 September 2025