IntroductionAdolescents undergo significant physiological, psychological, emotional, social, and intellectual changes (Vera et al., 2004). During adolescence, a person is expected to face and adjust to the demanding changes in their family, social, and academic lives. Due to this, adolescents typically face a barrage of difficulties during this stage of life (Armum & Chellappam, 2015). It is thought that the parent-child interaction would undergo significant changes as the adolescent strives to develop independence and an individual identity (Erikson, 1977). They start to develop more sophisticated reasoning abilities as they show the transition from concrete to abstract thinking. This development promotes autonomy, supports young people’s psychosocial and general well-being, and shields them from psychological issues during stressful life events. For adolescents, the growth of self-efficacy perception, appropriate social skills, and healthy emotional functioning is essential (Gaete, 2015). Self-efficacy and emotion regulation are essential psychological attributes that individuals need to adapt to their society. They also have a significant impact on interpersonal communication, learning, employment, mental and physical health, and survival. The relationship between self-efficacy and emotional intelligence is closely linked since self-efficacy affects an individual’s emotional reaction patterns, and reaction patterns are a manifestation of emotional intelligence (Sun & Lyu, 2022).Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model states that different environmental levels have an impact on behaviors as well as consequences for adolescents (Bronfenbrenner, 1989). It is thought that adolescent development is strongly influenced by the microenvironment, which is characterized by the immediate surroundings where adolescents reside, such as their family or school (Repetti et al., 2002). Parents are integral members of the home environment, impact their children’s outcomes both directly and indirectly (Baumrind,1966). Researchers are becoming more interested in the significance of parenting, its effects on children’s development, and how family experiences combine with genetic variables to affect behavioral and developmental consequences in children (Collins et al., 2000).Culture has a significant impact on how children are raised. In other words, parenting is shaped by culture, which is also endured and transmitted by affecting the thoughts of parents, who in turn mold parenting styles (Bornstein, 2012). Numerous research studies relating parenting styles and their impact on the developmental outcomes of children have been conducted; however, a significant part of them come from studies done on Western populations. Some research has indicated that parenting styles have a distinctive impact on children’s outcomes in Western samples as opposed to non-Western samples (Chao, 2001; Chan & Chan, 2009; Hoff et al., 2002). Earlier studies indicate that Indian parents were more likely to use harsh punishment, be more controlling, less accepting, and highly demanding compared to Western parents (Albert et al., 2007; Balda et al., 2001; Garg et al., 2005). In a cross-cultural review, researchers found that parenting styles appeared to have a similar impact on children across cultures. They observed that both in India and Western countries, favorable developmental outcomes resulted in children when raised by an authoritative parenting style (Sahithya et al., 2019). Chutia and Swargiary (2024) carried out a study on Indian adolescent students in which they noted that democratic parenting has the strongest positive relation to adolescents’ academic resilience compared to other parenting styles.In fact, the influence of the parenting style on developmental outcomes of adolescents may also vary according to the gender of the parent (Adekeye et al., 2015; Gugliandolo et al., 2019; Niditch & Varela, 2012). The researchers claimed that there are differences in how paternal and maternal parenting relate to the various outcomes of adolescents (Frank et al., 2010; Meunier et al., 2011).In the Indian context, only a handful of studies have been conducted in the field of parenting styles, particularly on the individual roles of fathers and mothers. So, the researchers attempt to fill the gap by adding this research to the existing literature, which aims to investigate the mediating effect of self-efficacy in the association between parenting styles and emotional intelligence of Indian adolescents. Moreover, mothers’ and fathers’ parenting styles have been examined separately.

In today's society, women are increasingly vulnerable to sexual violence, whether at home, in the workplace, or in public spaces. This study aims to explore the psychological consequences of sexual violence among women aged 20-30 in northern India, with a focus on fear, stress, and anxiety. A qualitative approach was employed, using semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 20 women. Data were collected through text-based online interviews, and thematic analysis was performed to identify key patterns and insights related to the psychological impact of sexual violence. The findings revealed that the fear of sexual violence led to heightened stress and anxiety, significantly affecting participants' mental well-being. Many women reported behavioural changes such as avoiding certain locations and altering daily routines to stay safe. The study also highlighted the role of societal norms and family pressures in shaping how women deal with these threats. This study highlights the urgent need for mental health support for women coping with the psychological toll of sexual violence. It also calls for societal and policy-level interventions to create safer environments and challenge the patriarchal structures that perpetuate fear and restrict women's freedom.