2026 Volume 73 Issue 5 Pages 429-437
Objective This study investigated whether self-rated parent-child relationships are associated with self-esteem among elementary and junior high school students, after statistically adjusting for family economic status and young carer status.
Methods In 2024, 893 anonymous questionnaires were administered among fifth-grade elementary and second-grade junior high school students in Yurihonjo City, Japan. Exposure—defined as a “poor parent-child relationship”—was determined based on responses indicating “somewhat does not apply” or “does not apply” to one or more of six relevant items. Self-esteem was measured using the total score ranging from 3 to 12 on the Tokyo version of the Self-Esteem Scale. “Financial difficulties” were defined as responses indicating that the household’s living conditions were “somewhat difficult” or “very difficult.” Young carers were defined as children who provided care to family members in a manner that affected their daily lives. A linear regression model was used to examine the association between parent-child relationships and self-esteem. The total score on the self-esteem scale was treated as the dependent variable, whereas parent-child relationship (reference: good), household economic status (reference: sufficient), young carer status (reference: non-carer), and additional covariates were included as independent variables. Regression coefficients representing differences in self-esteem scores relative to the reference categories were estimated along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results Among the participants, 49% were female, 52% were fifth-grade elementary school students, and 17% lived in single-parent households. A total of 23% participants reported poor parent-child relationships, 10% reported economic difficulties, 2% were young carers, and the median self-esteem score was 9.5. Regarding basic characteristics, children who reported poor parent-child relationships when compared to those with good relationships, exhibited the following features: a higher proportion of females, poorer self-rated health, and limited household economic status, while a lower proportion had someone to consult. After adjusting for covariates, the difference in self-esteem scores was −0.98 (95% CI: −1.19 to −0.77) for poor parent-child relationships. In addition, the total self-esteem scale score was −0.21 (95% CI: −0.50 to 0.09) among those experiencing poorer household economic status and 0.25 (95% CI: −0.26 to 0.75) among those identified as young carers.
Conclusion These findings suggest that parent-child relationships may serve as a key factor in fostering self-esteem among elementary and junior high school students.
