The relationship between parenting styles and mental health in children and adolescents

Abstract

 Objective:​ To explore the differences between paternal and maternal parenting styles and their impact on the mental health of children and adolescents. Methods:​ A total of 200 patients who met the diagnostic criteria of the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) were assigned to the case group. Additionally, 200 primary and secondary school students were randomly selected to form a normal control group, matching basic characteristics with the case group and excluding any psychological disorders. All participants were assessed using the Family Parenting Style Questionnaire and the Hundred-item Psychological Symptoms Questionnaire. The differences in parenting styles between fathers and mothers, as well as their correlations with children's psychological symptoms, were analyzed and compared. Results:​ Statistically significant differences were observed between fathers and mothers in the following dimensions: Democracy-Autocracy (t=2.099, P=0.036), Respect-Humiliation (t=4.953, P=0.000), Care-Protectiveness (t=-3.697, P=0.000), and Expectation-Demandingness (t=35.238, P=0.000). Correlation analysis showed no significant association between the difference in the parental Expectation-Demandingness factor and psychological problems in children and adolescents (P>0.05). However, differences in other parental factors were significantly correlated with psychological problems in this population (r=0.106–0.265, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:​ Inconsistent parenting styles between fathers and mothers have a certain impact on the mental health of adolescents.