Parenting style is directly related to anxiety and depression in adolescents

The young are particularly vulnerable, with suicide ranking third among causes of death between the ages of 15 and 29. Against this backdrop, a new study of adolescents in Nepal, published in the journal PLOS One, has found: more than 40 per cent of teenagers experience anxiety disorders, and family parenting style is a key factor in their mental wellbeing.

The team, led by Rabina Khadka, a public health lecturer at the Manmohan Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, surveyed 583 schoolchildren in Bhimdatta municipality. The aim was to close the data gap on how different parenting styles - authoritative, authoritarian and acquiescent - are associated with adolescents' depression, anxiety, stress and self-esteem.

Participants completed a four-part questionnaire:

• mental state (level of depression, anxiety, stress and self-esteem),

• perceived parenting style,

• baseline questionnaire data (age, gender, family situation).

All indicators were assessed using recognised psychometric scales, then statistical analysis was performed, linking parenting type to mental health outcomes.

What the study showed

The picture obtained looks alarming:

• anxiety - in 42.19% of adolescents,

• depression in 37.39%,

• stress - in 24.69%.

At the same time, the majority of respondents (69.3%) stated high self-esteem.

In terms of parenting style, adolescents most often described their parents as:

• authoritative (83.2%) - a combination of warmth and reasonable demandingness,

• permissive (56.6 per cent),

• authoritarian (43.6%) - strict control and minimum dialogue.

When comparing parenting style and mental state, stable links were found:

• Authoritarian style increases the risk of depression and is associated with lower self-esteem.

• Authoritative style protects against depression, anxiety and stress and is associated with higher self-esteem.

• The acquiescentstyle is more often associated with higher levels of stress.

"These results underscore the critical role of parental involvement and support in shaping adolescent mental health and the need to promote positive parenting practices," say the authors.

The role of school and environment

The study also found that it's not just the home that matters. Social environment and school climate have a comparable impact.

Bullying victims and teens who do not form close relationships with peers show a significantly higher risk of mental health problems.

The authors conclude that today's adolescents face serious mental health pressures and need systemic support. They recommend:

• parenting programmes to develop an authoritative parenting style (support + reasonable boundaries);

• school-based mental health programmes, including anti-bullying measures and access to psychological counselling.