Effects of Parenting Styles on Anxiety and School Refusal of Children

Abstract

The current study examined the relationship between different styles of parenting, anxiety and school refusal behavior in children. The study was conducted with a sample of 150 school going children from different public and private schools and 150 of their mothers. The age range of children was 5-13 years with a mean of 6.38 years (SD = 2.04). The parenting styles of mothers were determined using Parenting Styles Scale. Anxiety in children was determined using Spence’s Children’s Anxiety Scale and school refusal behavior was determined using School Refusal Assessment Scale-R. A cross-sectional research design was used for this research and data was collected from children in groups, while mothers were approached individually. The data was then analyzed using correlation, regression and ANOVA. The study yielded a significant relationship of controlling and avoidant parenting styles with anxiety in children. A significant negative relationship was also found of supportive and aggressive parenting styles with anxiety in children. A significant positive relationship of avoidant and aggressive parenting styles was found with function 1 of school refusal. Moreover, a significant negative relationship of supportive and compassionate parenting styles was found with functions 1 and 2 of school refusal. Gender differences were also found for anxiety. This research has future implications for parents, therapists and school psychologists.