Abstract
Background
Though associations between parenting styles marked by control (e.g., prevention of autonomous experiences) or rejection (e.g.,
criticism, arbitrary blame, and withholding of warmth) and youth anxiety have been established in the literature, few studies
have examined cognitive mediators purported to explain these associations.
criticism, arbitrary blame, and withholding of warmth) and youth anxiety have been established in the literature, few studies
have examined cognitive mediators purported to explain these associations.
Objective
The present study explored relations among perceptions of maternal and paternal parenting, emotional self-efficacy (i.e.,
perceived control over negative emotion), and anxiety in adolescents and tested a mediational model in which emotional self-efficacy
explains the relation between negative parenting styles and youth anxiety.
perceived control over negative emotion), and anxiety in adolescents and tested a mediational model in which emotional self-efficacy
explains the relation between negative parenting styles and youth anxiety.
Results
Emotional self-efficacy and maternal rejection predicted anxiety, maternal control was a marginally significant predictor
of anxiety, and paternal rejection and control were not associated with anxiety. Maternal rejection, but not paternal rejection
or control by either parent, predicted emotional self-efficacy, and emotional self-efficacy mediated the relation between
maternal rejection and anxiety.
of anxiety, and paternal rejection and control were not associated with anxiety. Maternal rejection, but not paternal rejection
or control by either parent, predicted emotional self-efficacy, and emotional self-efficacy mediated the relation between
maternal rejection and anxiety.
Conclusions
Results offer support for a commonly cited theoretical pathway from maternal rejection to youth anxiety by teaching that positive
emotional outcomes are rare and outside of the child’s control. Support was not found for a similarly theorized pathway from
maternal control to youth anxiety through emotional self-efficacy. Findings point to a greater relation between youth anxiety
and perceived negative parenting by mothers relative to fathers.
emotional outcomes are rare and outside of the child’s control. Support was not found for a similarly theorized pathway from
maternal control to youth anxiety through emotional self-efficacy. Findings point to a greater relation between youth anxiety
and perceived negative parenting by mothers relative to fathers.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s10566-011-9150-x
- Authors
- Laura A. Niditch, School of Science and Engineering, Department of Psychology, Tulane University, 2007 Percival Stern Hall, 6400 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70118-5636, USA
- R. Enrique Varela, School of Science and Engineering, Department of Psychology, Tulane University, 2007 Percival Stern Hall, 6400 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70118-5636, USA
- Journal Child and Youth Care Forum
- Online ISSN 1573-3319
- Print ISSN 1053-1890