Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Studying Brain Function in Children Using Magnetoencephalography
Published on: April 8, 2019
Parental Demandingness and Executive Functioning in Predicting Anxiety among Children in a Longitudinal Community
Barbara Chuen Yee Lo1,2, Sin Kan Chan3, Ting Kin Ng4
1Department of Applied Psychology, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong. barbaralo@ln.edu.hk.
Abstract:
Theoretical models and empirical studies of anxiety have predominately focused on the main effects of various predictors such as executive functioning deficits on anxiety. This study examined the moderating role of parental demandingness in the relationship between executive functioning deficits and anxiety in children. Ninety children (46.67% female) aged from 9 to 14 years completed several executive functioning tasks and a measure of anxiety. Parental demandingness was rated based on an observation of parent-child interactions. The children completed the anxiety measure again at one-year follow-up. The results showed that parental demandingness significantly moderated the prospective relationship between executive functioning deficits and anxiety, such that the association between executive functioning deficits and anxiety in children was weaker when parental demandingness was lower. These findings suggest that low parental demandingness may serve as a protective factor that buffers the detrimental effects of executive functioning deficits on anxiety.
Related Concept Videos
Longitudinal Studies
Longitudinal Research
What are Populations and Communities?
Parental Care
Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.

