Parenting styles and anxiety disorders in children – A study in an Albanian clinical population

Introduction About 20% of children suffer from an anxiety disorder and symptoms may persist in adulthood. About 13 in every 100 children from 9 to 17 years old experience anxiety disorders, girls seem more vulnerable than boys. Theoretical models of anxiety emphasize the effect of parenting on development and maintenance of child anxiety. Objectives This research aims to study the nature of correlation between parenting styles and anxiety in children who attend Tirana Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Service. Methods One hundred and seventy-five children and 175 their parents filled Spence Children Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and Parenting Styles & Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) was found a significant correlation between parenting styles and anxiety in children. Conclusions Parental overprotection produces vulnerable children who become adults ready to give up in front of life difficulties therefore; it is necessary parents’ awareness in practicing a balance in their parenting styles, in order to reduce children's anxiety. Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.