Parenting Styles and Internalizing Symptoms in Adolescence: A Systematic Literature Review.

Arantxa Gorostiaga,Joanes Lameirinhas,Jone Aliri,Nekane Balluerka

doi:10.3390/ijerph16173192

Arantxa Gorostiaga, Joanes Lameirinhas + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173192

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Abstract

A growing body of recent research has identified associations between various parenting practices and styles and internalizing problems among adolescents. However, the reported findings are inconsistent and the studies in question have been conducted from different theoretical backgrounds. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the literature on the association of parental socialization styles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. To this end, we conducted a systematic search of the PsycInfo, Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases, covering literature published from 2010 to 2019. The search was restricted to peer-reviewed studies in English or Spanish. The results show that parental warmth, behavioural control, and autonomy granting are inversely related to internalizing symptoms in adolescents. Conversely, psychological control and harsh control by parents are positively associated with adolescent anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Although the associated effect sizes are only small or moderate, the results suggest that these variables should be taken into account when designing programmes aimed at promoting parenting styles conducive to the wellbeing of adolescents.

Highlights

There is a growing interest in the study of child rearing, largely due to the development of theoretical models such as attachment theory [1,2,3] and social learning theory [4], which emphasize the influence that parents have on children’s development
The associated effect sizes are only small or moderate, the results suggest that these variables should be taken into account when designing programmes aimed at promoting parenting styles conducive to the wellbeing of adolescents
In the period considered by this review, only a small number of studies have examined the relationship between parenting practices and suicidal ideation in young people, our analysis suggests that suicidal ideation is negatively associated with parental warmth, behavioural control, and autonomy granting, and positively associated with psychological control and harsh control

Summary

Introduction

There is a growing interest in the study of child rearing, largely due to the development of theoretical models such as attachment theory [1,2,3] and social learning theory [4], which emphasize the influence that parents have on children’s development. Research on child rearing has focused on the role played by general patterns of parental behaviour, referred to as parenting styles. According to Maccoby and Martin [7], the first of these dimensions refers to the limits and rules which parents set in order to regulate their child’s behaviour, and to the demand that the child complies with them. The second dimension concerns the extent to which parents show affection, are involved with and accepting of their child’s behaviour and feelings, and are sensitive to his or her needs. It must be noted that other theoretical approaches to parenting styles have

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