The association between perceived parenting and adulthood anxiety: The mediator roles of emotion regulation, shame and anger

Although the role of parenting on offspring’s anxiety has burgeoned attention in the literature, a limited number of researches have taken into consideration maternal and paternal influence separately. Besides, the need for knowledge about the mechanisms involved in the continuity of this relationship remains. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived parenting practices and trait anxiety during adulthood through difficulty in emotion regulation (ER), shame, and anger. The study was carried out with a community sample comprised of 544 adults (408 females and 136 males) aged between 18 and 50 (M = 26.52, SD = 7.30). Data was collected through the online administration of self-report measures including Short EMBU-Own Memories of Upbringing, Test of Self-Conscious Affect-3, Trait Anger Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait Form. The results of the hierarchical regression analysis revealed that only paternal rejection and maternal overprotection were the predictors of adult anxiety. In addition, difficulty in ER, shame, and anger all had significant mediator roles in these associations. Current findings highlight the different maternal and paternal parenting that might play a role in the origin of offspring’s anxiety and provide an emotional model that might explain the endurance of this impact during adulthood.