The influence of parenting styles and coping strategies on anxiety symptoms in adolescents: a comparative study of groups with and without non-suicidal self-injury behavior.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the global incidence of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been increasing year by year, especially among adolescents, and it is highly correlated with the level of anxiety among teenagers, particularly within Chinese cultural contexts where parenting styles significantly influence adolescent behavior. This study examines the role of culturally-influenced parenting styles and adolescent coping strategies in relation to anxiety and NSSI behavior, aiming to clarify these multivariate interactions for better understanding and intervention. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with NSSI-diagnosed adolescents from Affiliated Kangning Hospital, Ningbo, China, and healthy adolescents from urban schools. Data on background, parenting styles, coping strategies, and anxiety levels were analyzed using chi-square tests, independent sample t-tests, MANOVA, and regression analysis. Adolescents with NSSI reported higher anxiety levels, more punishment and interference, and less emotional warmth from their fathers compared to the non-NSSI group (p<0.001). The NSSI group also relied more on emotion-oriented coping strategies, while the non-NSSI group favored problem-oriented approaches (p<0.001). Multivariate analyses confirmed significant effects of NSSI behavior, parenting styles, and coping strategies on anxiety levels. This study found that the anxiety levels of NSSI adolescents were significantly higher than those of non-NSSI adolescents in China, which was closely related to less emotional warmth from parents, more punishment and interference, and emotion-focused coping strategies. The results demonstrate that family environment and coping strategies play a critical role in NSSI behavior and anxiety levels, highlighting the importance of emphasizing emotional support and positive coping strategies in the prevention and intervention of NSSI behavior.