Search Results (403)

Based on the cognitive-behavioral model of pathological internet use (PIU), this study examined the longitudinal impact of parenting styles on college students’ PIU and the roles played by rumination and environmental sensitivity. A total of 652 freshmen were tracked three times over one year by means of Parenting Style Questionnaire, the Pathological Internet Use Scale, the Rumination Thinking Scale and the High Sensitivity Personality Questionnaire. T1 positive parenting significantly negatively predicted T3 PIU, while T1 negative parenting significantly positively predicted T3 PIU; T2 rumination partially mediated the longitudinal relationship between T1 parenting styles and T3 PIU; environmental sensitivity plays a moderating role in both the direct pathway and the first half pathway of the mediating effect of parental rearing styles on pathological Internet use through rumination thinking, and the results of the moderating effect support the differential susceptibility model. We found that the indirect effect of parenting styles on PIU among college students through rumination was moderated by environmental sensitivity. Specifically, environmental sensitivity strengthened the pathway from parenting styles and rumination to PIU. Full article

Background/Objectives: In the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, families express the need for dedicated clinical spaces to manage emotional overload and to develop effective relational skills. Parent training addresses this need by supporting the parent–child relationship and fostering the child’s development. This study proposes a clinical protocol designed for psychotherapists and behavior analysts, based on the Autism Open Clinical Model (A.-O.C.M.), which integrates the rigor of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with a phenomenological and embodied perspective. The model acknowledges technology—particularly artificial intelligence—as an opportunity to structure adaptive and personalized intervention tools. Methods: A multi-level prompt design system was developed, grounded in the principles of the A.-O.C.M. and integrated with generative AI. The tool employs clinical questions, semantic constraints, and levels of analysis to support the clinician’s reasoning and phenomenologically informed observation of behavior. Results: Recurrent relational patterns emerged in therapist–caregiver dynamics, allowing the identification of structural elements of the intersubjective field that are useful for personalizing interventions. In particular, prompt analysis highlighted how the quality of bodily and emotional attunement influences readiness for change, suggesting that intervention effectiveness increases when the clinician can adapt their style according to emerging phenomenological resonances. Conclusions: The design of clinical prompts rooted in embodied cognition and supported by AI represents a new frontier for psychotherapy that is more attuned to subjectivity. The A.-O.C.M. stands as a theoretical–clinical framework that integrates phenomenology and intelligent systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience high anxiety and low physical activity (PA). While the influence of parenting styles on these outcomes is well-documented in typically developing children, their role in autistic youth remains underexplored. The study examines how parenting style and parental encouragement of physical activity relate to anxiety and activity levels in ASD youth. Methods: The sample consisted of 76 parents of school-aged children diagnosed with ASD, including 54 parents of boys and 22 parents of girls (Aged 6–18; Mage = 10.75, SD = 3.67). The parents’ ages ranged from 23 to 65 years (M = 42.96, SD = 7.01). Results: Using a path model analysis, we found that authoritarian and permissive parenting were directly associated with elevated child anxiety. Authoritative and permissive parenting were inversely associated with child anxiety indirectly via parental encouragement of PA. Furthermore, authoritative and permissive parenting were inversely associated with the child’s PA score via encouragement of PA. Conclusions: The study establishes links between parenting styles and anxiety and physical activity in ASD children and adolescents, while identifying a specific mechanism that partially explains these associations. Full article

Background: How individuals develop and form perspectives of those around them differs from person to person. Factors such as childhood parental bonding styles can affect how prejudice forms. Social dominance in adulthood may also be affected by childhood experiences through the bonding received. Not many studies examine how an individual’s Social Dominance Orientationcan be influenced by parental bonding styles in childhood. Furthermore, few studies that investigated neural correlates are associated with these two variables. As such, this study aims to establish how parental bonding in childhood affects brain regions that are also implicated in adult SDO. Methods: Ninety-one participants were recruited and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) and Parental Bonding Index (PBI) were collected. We used DARTEL package in SPM12 to conduct a whole-brain analysis. The ROI analyses were focused on amygdala grey matter volume (GMV). Results: This study identified a strong correlation between PBI and SDO. Interestingly, PBI_Care and PBI_Protection scores significantly predicted SDO scores. SDO was positively associated with amygdala GMV, PBI_Care was negatively associated with amygdala GMV, and PBI_Protection was positively associated with amygdala GMV. Conclusions: Our results show that PBI and SDO are highly correlated as well as their association with the amygdala and other key regions of the brain. Full article

Anxiety is a common negative emotional experience among preschoolers that can significantly affect their physical and mental health development. Investigating the key factors that influence preschoolers’ anxiety and the mechanisms by which they act is important. This study aimed to examine the relationship between family socioeconomic status and preschoolers’ anxiety and explore the mediating role of parenting style and preschoolers’ psychological resilience in this relationship. This study examined the relationship between family socioeconomic status and childhood anxiety from the perspective of family factors and personal psychological characteristics. The Family Background Questionnaire, the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire, the DECA-P2, and the Preschool Anxiety Scale were distributed to 36,048 parent–child dyads (children aged 3–6 years) in China. The collected data were analyzed via SPSS 22.0 and Mplus 8.3. A set of serial mediation models was constructed to provide evidence supporting the role of the key factors of early childhood anxiety and their observed associations. There were two-way correlations between family socioeconomic status (SES), parenting style, psychological resilience, and anxiety level. SES demonstrated a significant negative association with preschoolers’ anxiety, with direct and indirect links between authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles and preschoolers’ psychological resilience. Specifically, SES was associated with lower anxiety in preschoolers through authoritative parenting styles and was linked to higher anxiety through authoritarian parenting styles. SES was also related to preschoolers’ anxiety through their psychological resilience. In summary, parenting style and children’s psychological resilience function as serial mediators in the relationship between SES and preschoolers’ anxiety. Family socioeconomic status significantly and negatively correlates with early childhood anxiety, and parenting style and preschoolers’ psychological resilience mediate this relationship, in this study conducted from the perspectives of both family factors and individual psychological traits of preschoolers. Full article

Studies indicate that early adolescents are exposed to several online risks. Furthermore, early adolescents with Special Educational Needs (SENs) often experience emotional, social, or family difficulties, which increase their vulnerability to online risks. We aimed to investigate whether parental mediation styles regarding children’s Internet use moderate the risk for early adolescents in general and early adolescents with SENs in particular. One hundred and nineteen Italian parents (90.8% female) of children aged 11–15, 34% with a diagnosis associated with SENs, completed self-report measures assessing their children’s exposure to online risks and their parental mediation styles. In addition, 70 early adolescents (43.7% female; 39.4% with an SEN diagnosis) completed measures of social adjustment. Using moderation regression analyses, we examined the associations of parental mediation style, social adjustment, and SEN status with exposure to online risks. The findings highlighted how high levels of active parental mediation were associated with a significant reduction in online risks for adolescents with higher social adjustment. Follow-up analyses indicate, even if marginally, that this effect influences regards, in particular, adolescents with SENs. These results highlight the relevance of both individual social adaptation skills and parental mediation in reducing online risks among early adolescents, particularly those with SENs. Therefore, preventive interventions should not only target the development of youth competencies but also provide guidance and support for parents. Full article

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are increasingly recognized as critical factors that promote resilience, emotional regulation, and flourishing in children, especially in the context of adversity. This narrative review explores the conceptual development, empirical evidence, and theoretical frameworks underpinning the role of PCEs in early childhood development. A critical assessment of the existing literature focuses on how PCEs function as promotive and protective factors and evaluates the strengths and limitations of current measurement tools. Drawing on theories from resilience science, developmental psychopathology, positive psychology, and ecological systems theory, this review highlights the complex, multidimensional nature of PCEs and their interplay with parenting styles, socioeconomic status, and the social drivers of health. Despite compelling evidence that PCEs influence cognitive, emotional, relational, and behavioral outcomes across the lifespan, there is no dedicated validated tool for prospectively measuring PCEs in preverbal or preschool-aged children. This gap limits our ability to design and test interventions to mitigate adverse childhood experiences and to assess their developmental impact in real time and subsequent periods. We conclude that future research should focus on creating culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate instruments to measure PCEs in early life, essential for advancing equity, optimizing child health, and promoting wellness across diverse populations. Full article

Modern parenting styles cover a wide spectrum, from strict tiger parenting to supportive lighthouse parenting. Among these, helicopter parenting remains particularly controversial: while some consider it a protective approach, others believe that excessive control can hinder the development of a child’s autonomy and independence. Our research is significant because it approaches the topic from a rarely examined pedagogical perspective, thereby contributing to the psychology-dominated literature. We conducted our analysis using the EBSCO Discovery Service search engine and followed the steps of the PRISMA protocol. The aim of the study is to explore the relationship between helicopter parenting and academic achievement, as well as to review the factors—such as career-related decisions and adaptation—that may play a mediating role in this relationship. It reviews 33 studies published between 2012 and 2024, most of which use quantitative methods. Most of these studies were conducted in the United States and focus primarily on the college-age demographic. Our findings show that recognising and addressing helicopter parenting behaviours is essential to supporting student success. Furthermore, educational institutions should more actively make use of the potential resources and opportunities offered by such parenting behaviours. Overall, our findings confirm that helicopter parenting remains an under-researched topic at both the national and European levels, particularly in the context of education and public education systems, where further research is clearly needed. Full article

This study examined the effects of perceived parenting styles and restrictive parental internet intervention on adolescents’ cyberbullying behaviors in Macau. A survey conducted in 2023 gathered responses from 708 secondary school students aged 12 to 18. The findings indicated that fathers’ authoritative and permissive parenting styles were positively associated with adolescents’ experiences of cyberbullying, both as perpetrators and victims. Mothers’ authoritative style was significantly associated with increased cyber-victimization. Notably, when mothers used an authoritative style and also applied restrictive internet intervention strategies—such as time or content controls—adolescents reported higher levels of cyber-victimization. These results suggest that rigid control, if not combined with open communication, may heighten risk. This study highlights the importance of involving both parents—particularly fathers—in adolescent media education and calls for increased awareness in social work, education, and family policy to prevent and mitigate cyberbullying in the digital age. Full article

Background/Aim: Nutrition plays a pivotal role in development, not only in the early stages of life but also during adolescence, a period marked by vulnerability to the onset of overweight, obesity and eating disorders, with repercussions for reproductive and bone health. This narrative review aims to explore how parenting style, parental feeding practices and social media exposure influence eating behaviors in children and adolescents. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed through the PubMed and Scopus databases, including studies on participants aged 0–18 years. Both observational and interventional studies focusing on parenting approaches and the impact of social media on dietary behaviors were included. Given the narrative design, studies were selected based on conceptual relevance rather than formal inclusion or exclusion criteria, and on their contribution to understanding the multifactorial determinants of eating behavior. Results: A substantial body of research has demonstrated the critical influence of the family in cultivating positive eating habits and fostering a healthy relationship with food in children, serving as a role model and through responsive and authoritative parenting. Conversely, controlling or restrictive styles may contribute to dysfunctional eating patterns. Social media can positively and negatively influence children’s eating behaviors and parental feeding practices, promoting nutritional awareness or exposure to unhealthy food marketing and unrealistic body ideals. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals should promote an educational, trust-based approach to nutrition, empowering parents and youth for responsible digital engagement. Integrating family, school and media education is essential for preventing obesity and eating disorders in the digital age. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parenting a child with a chronic illness such as cancer presents distinct psychological challenges that often disrupt normative parenting patterns. Parents frequently struggle to maintain boundaries in response to their child’s heightened emotional needs, leading to overprotective or permissive behaviors. This study revisits Winnicott’s theory of the “good enough parent” and explores its application in the context of pediatric oncology. We aim to examine how a psychodynamic framework can be integrated with evidence-based practices to support parental functioning and promote child resilience during cancer treatment. Methods: This conceptual paper employs a qualitative, theory-driven case study approach. We analyze the case of a 6.5-year-old girl diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), focusing on the evolving dynamics between the child’s regressive behaviors and the parents’ emotional responses. Winnicott’s developmental model is expanded to conceptualize parenting as a continuous balance between responsiveness and structure. Clinical dialogues illustrate the therapeutic process of guiding parents toward a more adaptive stance. Results: The analysis highlights how permissive parenting, driven by parental guilt and fear, may initially reduce child distress, but can inadvertently reinforce emotional dysregulation and dependency. The application of a dialectical interpretation of Winnicott’s theory allowed for a therapeutic shift, supporting parents in setting empathic yet firm boundaries. Conclusions: A balanced, dialectical approach to parenting—one that integrates emotional attunement with appropriate demands—can enhance a child’s psychological resilience during cancer treatment. Incorporating psychodynamic insights into clinical practice can help professionals guide families toward more adaptive, developmentally supportive caregiving strategies. Full article

Background: Parental cognitive characteristics may represent environmental risk factors in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). This study compared obsessive beliefs, metacognitions, and ruminative thinking in parents of adolescents with OCD and healthy controls (HCs), and examined links with clinical features in patients. Methods: Participants were 45 adolescents with OCD, 45 HCs, and both their mothers and fathers. The Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) assessed symptom severity in adolescents. Parents completed the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire (OBQ), Ruminative Thought Style Questionnaire (RTSQ), 30-item Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, followed by correlation and regression analyses. Results: Parents of patients had higher scores on the importance/control of thoughts, the need to control thoughts, and cognitive self-consciousness (MCQ-CSC). Mothers of adolescents with OCD had the highest scores on inflated responsibility/threat estimation (OBQ-RTE), perfectionism/intolerance of uncertainty (OBQ-PIU), rumination, and cognitive confidence (MCQ-CC). Regression analyses showed that lower maternal MCQ-CC predicted earlier OCD onset, while higher rumination predicted later onset. Obsession severity in adolescents was linked to higher maternal MCQ-CSC, obsessive slowness to maternal OBQ-PIU, and pathological doubt to greater maternal rumination. Children’s indecisiveness correlated with paternal OBQ-RTE and OBQ-PIU. Conclusions: Our findings revealed elevated cognitive vulnerabilities for OCD in mothers of affected adolescents and identified specific associations between parental cognitive characteristics and their children’s symptom profiles. Future longitudinal studies using dyadic parental design with larger samples may further elucidate the role of parental cognitive patterns in the development and course of OCD. Full article

In Hong Kong, the interaction between traditional values and modern influences creates a unique cultural landscape that influences family dynamics, intergenerational communication, and adolescent mental health. This study aimed to fill critical research gaps by exploring the relationship between authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles within this hybrid cultural context. Parenting style scores were based on the PSDQ-26 questionnaires completed by both parents of 2325 students. These students also provided demographic data used in the analysis (1013 girls, M_age = 13.35, SD = 1.22). The data analysis examined the correlations between parenting styles and variations across gender and age groups. Contrary to patterns observed in Western contexts, the results indicated no significant correlation between authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles (r = 0.02, p > 0.05), suggesting a complex coexistence influenced by Hong Kong’s hybrid sociocultural context. Notably, the study revealed gender-based differences: boys’ parents reported higher levels of democratic participation and reasoning, reflecting authoritative parenting, while also showing greater use of physical coercion and punitive discipline, indicative of authoritarian parenting. Authoritative parenting, but not authoritarian parenting, showed a decline as children matured. By investigating these dynamics, the study not only addresses a significant gap in the literature but also enhances the understanding of how cultural and developmental factors shape parenting practices. These insights are crucial for developing culturally adapted parenting education materials and informing interventions that support child development in diverse cultural settings. Full article

This research examines the impact of parental communication and education on the aggressive behavior of adolescents and their attitudes toward morality, from an interdisciplinary perspective. The study aims to investigate the relationship between parental attitudes towards aggressive behaviors, the disciplinary styles used, and the school adaptation of adolescents. The central hypothesis is that a parenting style based on open communication reduces aggressive behavior and improves moral attitudes. Methods. The method involved a cross-sectional study on a sample of 403 adolescents, using structured questionnaires to assess parental communication, attitudes towards aggression, school experience, and aggressive behaviors. The findings revealed a significant positive association between parental tolerance of aggression and adolescents’ aggressive behaviors (r = 0.280, p < 0.001). In contrast, open parental communication was positively related to school adaptation (r = 0.348, p < 0.001). Moreover, negative school attitudes were strong predictors of aggressive manifestations (r = −0.374, p < 0.001). The conclusions emphasize the importance of parental intervention programs that promote effective communication and reduce tolerance of aggressive behaviors, thereby fostering the development of prosocial behaviors and healthy moral attitudes in adolescents. Full article

Psychopathy in women remains understudied, particularly regarding the role of early relational experiences such as attachment. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the association between attachment-related factors and psychopathic traits in women. A structured search following PRISMA guidelines across multidisciplinary databases (Scopus-Elsevier^®, ESBCO^®, Pubmed^®, Sage Publishing^®, B-On, and Web of Science-Core Collection^®) yielded 147 articles, of which eight met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies met three to four out of the five methodological quality criteria. Findings indicate that insecure attachment styles are differentially associated with psychopathy. Avoidant attachment is positively linked to callous-unemotional traits, whereas the role of anxious attachment appears more heterogeneous. Some studies associate it with higher levels of affective traits and secondary psychopathy, while others identify it as a negative predictor of callous-unemotional features in women. Avoidant attachment was also negatively correlated with empathy and positively related to maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, particularly among women with secondary psychopathic traits. Negative maternal parenting was associated with elevated psychopathic traits, whereas positive parental involvement acted as a protective factor. Additional predictors included early maladaptive schemas and childhood risk factors such as parental criminality and poor supervision. These findings highlight the relevance of early intervention and attachment-informed approaches in forensic risk assessment, trauma-informed care, and prevention programs targeting women with psychopathic traits. Full article