ORIGINAL PAPER
The moderating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between parentification and perceived stress among adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged regions in Vietnam
1
Faculty of Psychology, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
2
Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Submission date: 2026-01-06
Final revision date: 2026-03-25
Acceptance date: 2026-05-19
Online publication date: 2026-07-01
Corresponding author
Thuy B. Luong
Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Background:
Parentification, in which children assume adult-like caregiving and household responsibilities, is common in socioeconomi-cally disadvantaged contexts and has been linked to increased psychological stress among adolescents. However, the role of individual protective factors, particularly self-efficacy, in buffering this relationship remains underexplored in the Vietnam-ese sociocultural context. This study examined the association between parentification and perceived stress and investigated the moderating role of self-efficacy among adolescents living in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of Vietnam.
Participants and procedure:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 825 adolescents (grades 6-12) recruited from secondary and high schools in two socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of Vietnam (a northern mountainous area and a central lowland area). Partic-ipants completed the Parentification Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression analyses with moderation testing via the PROCESS macro.
Results:
Parentification was positively associated with perceived stress (r = .22, p < .05) and self-efficacy (r = .44, p < .05). Hierarchical regression analyses showed that parentification significantly predicted higher perceived stress (B = 0.11, p < .001). Self-efficacy was also positively associated with perceived stress and moderated the relationship between parenti-fication and perceived stress (interaction B = −0.01, p < .001), such that the association between parentification and per-ceived stress was weaker among adolescents with higher self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
The findings highlight the dual role of self-efficacy among parentified adolescents in socioeconomically disadvantaged con-texts, functioning both as a psychological resource and a potential source of strain. Interventions should aim to strengthen healthy self-efficacy while reducing excessive caregiving burdens to promote adolescents’ psychological well-being.
Parentification, in which children assume adult-like caregiving and household responsibilities, is common in socioeconomi-cally disadvantaged contexts and has been linked to increased psychological stress among adolescents. However, the role of individual protective factors, particularly self-efficacy, in buffering this relationship remains underexplored in the Vietnam-ese sociocultural context. This study examined the association between parentification and perceived stress and investigated the moderating role of self-efficacy among adolescents living in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of Vietnam.
Participants and procedure:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 825 adolescents (grades 6-12) recruited from secondary and high schools in two socioeconomically disadvantaged regions of Vietnam (a northern mountainous area and a central lowland area). Partic-ipants completed the Parentification Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE-10). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and hierarchical regression analyses with moderation testing via the PROCESS macro.
Results:
Parentification was positively associated with perceived stress (r = .22, p < .05) and self-efficacy (r = .44, p < .05). Hierarchical regression analyses showed that parentification significantly predicted higher perceived stress (B = 0.11, p < .001). Self-efficacy was also positively associated with perceived stress and moderated the relationship between parenti-fication and perceived stress (interaction B = −0.01, p < .001), such that the association between parentification and per-ceived stress was weaker among adolescents with higher self-efficacy.
Conclusions:
The findings highlight the dual role of self-efficacy among parentified adolescents in socioeconomically disadvantaged con-texts, functioning both as a psychological resource and a potential source of strain. Interventions should aim to strengthen healthy self-efficacy while reducing excessive caregiving burdens to promote adolescents’ psychological well-being.
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