Influence of Parenting Factors on Childhood Social Anxiety: Direct Observation of Parental Warmth and Control

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to determine the association of parenting behaviors and social anxiety in children. Three parental factors—including parental socialization, control, and warmth—were investigated in a sample of 31 two-parent families. Rather than solely relying upon retrospective questionnaires, this study incorporated direct observation and a Daily Activity Log to assess the qualities of social interaction. Moderate associations between parental control and child anxiety symptoms were found, with no support for the association between parental warmth and child anxiety. More specifically, maternal overprotection and observed negative commands related to child social anxiety, and paternal overprotection related to child general anxiety. Several gender differences were found regarding the impact of parent behaviors on child anxiety. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• observation
• parent-child interaction
• parenting style
• social anxiety

Notes

Note. Approximately 20 of all protocols were coded for each participant (father, mother, child). Numbers above reflect the number of times each category was coded across all three family members.

Note. BAI = Beck Anxiety Inventory; SPAI-C-P = Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children-Parent Version; SPAI-C-C = Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children-Child Version; SPAI = Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory; MASC = Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children; PBI = Parental Bonding Instrument; M = Mother, F = Father; C = Care, O = Overprotection.