Relationship between permissive parenting style and atypical behaviour in preschool children, with generalized anxiety as mediator

ABSTRACT

This study examines the relationship between permissive parenting style and atypical behaviour in preschool children, focusing on the mediating role of generalized anxiety. A community sample of 293 children, aged 3–5 years, were tested with measures assessed by parents and teachers. Regression analyses were employed. The psychometric tests used were: Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire – Mother Form, Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition, Teacher Rating Scale, and Preschool Anxiety Scale – Parent version. Children whose parents have a permissive parenting style exhibit a high level of atypical behaviour, and a very high level of generalized anxiety. Generalized anxiety adds significant explanatory variance for atypical behaviour in preschool children over and above permissive parenting style. Generalized anxiety has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between father's permissive parenting style and atypical behaviour and a total mediating effect on the relationship between mother's permissive parenting style and atypical behaviour.

KEYWORDS:

• Permissive parenting style
• atypical behaviour
• generalized anxiety
• preschool children

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Notes on contributors

Geanina Cucu Ciuhan

Geanina Cucu Ciuhan is Professor at the University of Pitesti, Romania, and associated professor at the University of Bucharest, Romania. She is also a psychotherapist and clinical psychologist in private practice and has a special interest in working with children with behavioural disorders and emotional disorders.