Parenting Styles, Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Child/Adolescent

Objective: To analyse the possible direct and interactive associations of sex, age and parenting styles with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 710 students ranging from 8 to 13 years (mean age 10.8 years [ 0.75]), the most of them males (n = 422, 59.4%), completed three screening instruments: a parenting practices scale and two self-reports for evaluating anxiety and depressive symptoms. Two hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Authoritative (38.6%) and neglectful (38%) parenting styles were predominant. Symptoms of depression -F (3, 706) = 3.12, p = .03- and anxiety -F (3, 706) = 2.83, p = .4- differed by parenting styles. Students with a neglectful parenting style reported significant lower generalized anxiety symptoms than those whose parents used authoritative parenting. Clinical implications: Children ages 8 to 13 years-old with authoritative parenting style should be evaluated for possible presence of generalized anxiety symptoms.