What Causes Parenting Styles to Induce Anxiety?

Children often experience anxiety about various things, which is normal. However, using stern and harsh behavior with children through authoritarian parenting can lead to moderate to high levels of anxiety, depression, and withdrawal.

Naturally, children will feel anxious about different things at times. It is expected for them to worry and stress about school, friends, and their own thoughts as they go through different stages of development.

Parents should provide as much support as possible, helping their children see the positive aspects of challenging situations. However, there are instances when parents fail and unintentionally induce anxiety in their children. This can happen when parents exercise their authority over their children in an unfavorable way.

Parenting Styles and Anxiety

The following are three types of parenting:

Authoritarian parenting. Parents who adopt this style set strict rules that they expect their children to obey. The child has little to no room for negotiation or making ordinary mistakes.

Authoritative parenting. Parents who adopt this style communicate effectively with their children, setting regulations and enforcing them in a non-punitive manner.

Permissive parenting. With this style, children are allowed to do as they please without needing to meet specific expectations. Parents may have limited rules but rarely enforce them.

Uninvolved parenting. In this style, children have absolute freedom. Uninvolved parents rarely communicate with their children.

There is overwhelming evidence that parenting styles can influence the growth and development of children. The effects are more noticeable in adolescents and can impact academic performance and goal-setting. The most significant impact is seen in individuals between the ages of 14 and 18.

Younger children, especially those between 6 months and 3 years, are also greatly affected by specific parenting styles. Neglectful parenting can lead to separation anxiety in these children. Signs of separation anxiety may include clinginess or crying when parents leave. However, it’s important to note that such behavior may also be normal and should decrease as children approach four years of age. If clinginess persists past early childhood, it may be cause for concern.

Authoritarian parenting, characterized by stern and harsh behavior, can lead to moderate to high levels of anxiety, depression, and withdrawal. Children raised by authoritarian parents are more likely to worry excessively about things that a typical child wouldn’t worry about.

In contrast, children who receive strong emotional support from their caregivers are better able to regulate their emotions. They can maintain a calm composure even in situations that naturally provoke a strong emotional response.

The nurturing and positive aspects of authoritative and permissive parenting also protect children from stress and depression. These children experience love and care and develop a certain level of resilience against psychological pressure.

Parental Influence on Anxiety in Girls vs. Boys

Interestingly, the impact of parenting styles on child anxiety seems to be more pronounced in female children than in males. The underlying reasons for this phenomenon are not fully understood. It is also concerning that female children who perceive neglect or rejection from one or both parents may attempt suicide at least once in their lifetime.

Anxiety Disorders that Affect Children

Various anxiety disorders can affect children and teenagers. Some of these disorders include:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): Children with GAD worry about many of the same things as other children, such as homework, exams, or making mistakes. However, children with GAD worry more frequently and intensely. They may also worry about things that wouldn’t typically cause worry. GAD makes it difficult for children to relax and enjoy themselves, and they may have challenges with eating well or falling asleep at night.

Separation anxiety disorder (SAD): Most children outgrow their fear of being apart from their parents. However, some children fail to outgrow this fear, resulting in separation anxiety disorder. Some children continue to experience symptoms of SAD as they grow older. They may exhibit signs such as clinging to a parent, crying, or refusing to participate in activities without their parents present. Children with SAD may also have trouble falling asleep or sleeping alone at home.

Social anxiety disorder (social phobia): This disorder causes children to excessively worry about being rejected by others or how others will judge them. They may be afraid of doing or saying something embarrassing. Children with social phobia tend to avoid social situations, which can lead to school avoidance and feelings of sickness or fatigue.

Panic disorder: Panic attacks can occur normally, but anxiety attacks are more intense and come with visible symptoms that concern parents. Some children may experience trembling, a racing heart rate, or shortness of breath. Teens are particularly prone to anxiety attacks.

Selective mutism: If a child talks comfortably at home with people they’re close to but will not speak in the presence of others, it may indicate selective mutism. This behavior is most noticeable in school, where the child avoids talking or interacting with peers in unfamiliar settings.

Specific phobias: Phobias are extreme fears that can persist for long periods of time. Children with specific phobias dread and avoid certain things, such as heights, confined places, or insects.

Signs of Anxiety in Children

Children may have difficulty expressing their fears when they are anxious. Sometimes they may not even be aware of what they are afraid of until you talk to them. Signs that your child may be dealing with anxiety include:

• Difficulty falling asleep
• Bedwetting
• Increased clinginess, tearfulness, or irritability
• Waking up during the night
• Nightmares

Older children may exhibit the following signs of anxiety:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Angry outbursts
• Lack of confidence in trying new things
• Avoiding or unable to confront simple challenges
• Sleep and appetite disturbances
• Negative thinking
• Avoidance of everyday activities, such as seeing friends or going to school

How to Support an Anxious Child

When your child is feeling anxious, there are several things you can do to help them feel safe and calm. Consider the following tips:

Discuss their worries with them. Let them know that you understand what they are going through, which will make it easier for them to navigate similar situations in the future. Older children can better comprehend anxiety when you explain its nature and effects. Assure them that you have experienced similar situations or have had to deal with difficult circumstances but have always found a way through. This reassurance will make them feel less alone.

Children rely heavily on their parents or guardians for support. Even when it may not seem like your behavior affects their lives, it does. Strive to provide positive reinforcement instead of enforcing unwarranted authority that undermines their psychological well-being. It is also helpful to:

• Teach children to identify signs of anxiety in themselves and others
• Encourage children to seek help when they cannot manage their anxiety
• Be consistent in disciplining your children
• Prepare children for major life events and changes through conversations
• Avoid excessive overprotectiveness
• Manage your anxiety and avoid exposing your children to uncomfortable moments during disagreements with your spouse or others
• Provide distractions when your child is experiencing anxiety-inducing situations

Conclusion

Experts recommend that professionals assess children for general anxiety disorders in cases where parenting may be compromised. They also suggest educating children about the risk factors of anxiety and depression so that they are aware of the impact of their upbringing.

Sources:

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica: "Perception of rejecting and neglectful parenting in childhood relates to lifetime suicide attempts for females – but not for males."

International Journal of Psychological Research: "Parenting Styles, Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Child/Adolescent."

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry: "Research Review: The relation between child and parent anxiety and parental control: a meta-analytic review."

Learning and Individual Differences: "Perception of parenting styles and academic achievement: The mediating role of goal orientations."

National Health Service: "Anxiety in children."

The Nemours Foundation: "Anxiety Disorders."

Psychiatry Research: "When somatization is not the only thing you suffer from: Examining comorbid syndromes using latent profile analysis, parenting practices and adolescent functioning."

StatPearls Publishing: "Types of Parenting Styles and Effects On Children."

StatPearls Publishing: "Types of Parenting Styles and Effects On Children."