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Challenging Parenting Behaviour and Anxiety Disorders in Emerging Adulthood
Evie Wai Ting Chan1, Kelly Tsz Ching Wong1, Laura H Clark2
1Department of Psychology, Durham University, Durham, UK.
Journal of Child and Family Studies
|February 23, 2023
Summary
Maternal challenging parenting behaviour (CPB) was linked to lower social anxiety disorder (SAD) symptoms in emerging adults. Paternal CPB and the proposed mediators (intolerance of uncertainty, cognitive avoidance) did not show significant associations with anxiety symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Background:
- Challenging parenting behaviour (CPB) involves encouraging children to engage in safe risks, potentially reducing anxiety.
- Limited research exists on CPB's association with specific anxiety disorders and mediating factors in emerging adulthood.
- Understanding CPB's role is crucial for developing targeted interventions for anxiety disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between maternal and paternal CPB and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD).
- To examine if intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and cognitive avoidance (CA) sequentially mediate the link between CPB and anxiety symptoms.
- To explore these associations in a UK-based sample of emerging adults (aged 18-25).
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing online self-report measures.
- Sample comprised 190 UK adults aged 18-25.
- Assessed maternal/paternal CPB, GAD symptoms, SAD symptoms, IU, and CA.
Main Results:
- Higher maternal CPB predicted lower symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD).
- No significant association was found between paternal CPB and GAD or SAD symptoms.
- Intolerance of uncertainty and cognitive avoidance did not sequentially mediate the relationship between CPB and anxiety symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Maternal CPB may play a protective role against social anxiety disorder in emerging adulthood.
- The proposed mediation pathways involving IU and CA were not supported in this study.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms linking CPB to anxiety in young people.
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