Parenting Affects on Young Adults: Mental Health & Estrangement Levels

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between perceived parenting styles and mental health outcomes, specifically anxiety and depression, among Generation Z adult children. Participants consisted of 14 individuals between the ages of 18 and 22 who completed an online survey assessing retrospective perceptions of parenting behaviors and current psychological functioning. Measures included the Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU) and the Parent–Child Relationship Questionnaire (PACQ), which assess dimensions such as parental rejection, overprotection, and emotional warmth. Pearson product–moment correlations were conducted to evaluate associations between parenting variables and mental health outcomes. Results indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between perceived parental rejection and anxiety, as well as between overall negative parenting perceptions and anxiety. Emotional warmth was also positively associated with anxiety, suggesting potential complexity in how individuals interpret parental behaviors. No statistically significant relationships were found between parenting variables and depression. These findings suggest that perceived parenting behaviors—particularly rejection—may be more strongly associated with anxiety than depression in emerging adulthood. Limitations include the small sample size, reliance on self-report measures, and the cross-sectional design. Future research should examine these relationships using larger and more diverse samples, as well as longitudinal designs, to better understand the long-term impact of parenting on mental health outcomes.