Exploring the Associations Between Parenting Styles and Internalizing Problems in Chinese Adolescents

Abstract

Previous studies denoted that parenting styles and practices were significant influencing factors for the course of development from early childhood to adulthood and especially during adolescence. However, as internalizing problems are mounting in Chinese adolescents in current years, few studies focused on the relationship between parenting styles and adolescents internalizing problems in China. Thus, this study sought to explore the associations between parenting styles and internalizing problems among Chinese adolescents. A total number of 78 adolescents from middle school and high school participated in the experiment. Parenting styles were measured using the short form of the Egna Minnen Betrffande Uppfostran, and internalizing problems were measured using The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results suggested that emotional warmth, overprotection and rejection were associated with internalizing problems. Rejection and overprotection were correlated with an increased level of internalizing problems while emotional warmth was correlated with a decreased level of internalizing problems. The results also demonstrated that mothers tend to provide significantly more emotional warmth and overprotection than fathers. However, gender and age differences were not found in internalizing problems among the participating adolescents.