Parenting Styles and the Development of Practical Intelligence in Children
Keywords:
parenting styles; children's practical intelligence; adaptive competenciesAbstract
Introduction: Practical intelligence, understood as the ability to solve everyday problems using adaptive strategies, is a key dimension of child development significantly influenced by parenting styles and family dynamics. This research aimed to analyze the relationship between parenting styles and practical intelligence in school-aged children. Materials and methods: A systematic review with a qualitative approach and descriptive-analytical design was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines. A search was performed in six academic databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ERIC, BMC, and Google Scholar), identifying 25 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Results: The results show that the democratic parenting style is consistently associated with greater autonomy, problem-solving skills, and functional adaptability. Conversely, the authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful parenting styles are linked to limitations in practical skills such as anxiety when making decisions, low frustration tolerance, behavioral difficulties, and deficiencies in self-regulation. Discussion: Specific parenting practices (assertive communication, positive discipline, and emotional support) were identified as fostering children's practical thinking, even in contexts that are not fully democratic. The discussion highlights that contextual factors such as parents' educational level, socioeconomic status, family structure, and the availability of educational resources act as moderating variables in this relationship. Conclusions: Promoting democratic parenting styles and strengthening parenting skills through psychoeducational interventions and public policies is fundamental to enhancing children's adaptive development and preventing the adverse effects associated with dysfunctional parenting practices.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Diego Javier Mayorga Ortiz, Anderson Patricio Maigua Pinta, Mariela Brigitte Guamanquispe Salas, Cristian Esteveen Imbago Rosero

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