Social media and perceived world threats are encouraging overprotective and anxious parenting, according to new research.
The Griffith University research surveyed 909 Australian parents of children aged 16–19.
It found the pressure to be the perfect parent was exacerbated by social media and fear about the future.
The study titled Overprotective parenting: Examining pressures to be perfect, social media comparisons, world instability and parent anxiety was conducted by lead author Dr Kotryna Rym from Griffith’s School of Applied Psychology.
“Upward comparisons on social media were one of the strongest predictors of overprotective parenting and parental anxiety,” Dr Rym said.
“Some parents can perceive the world to be increasingly unstable, risky or threatening, and are therefore more likely to become overprotective of their teenage children.
“When parents experience heightened anxiety, they may try to manage risk by becoming more involved in their children’s decisions and activities.
“These factors impacted mothers’ parenting, but they were especially important for understanding fathers’ anxiety and overprotection, the study found.”
Co-author Professor Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck said even parents of adolescents felt pressure and judgement from society to be the “perfect” parent and have their child succeed.
“We need to find ways to help parents address the issue of social comparison and emphasise more realistic messaging for parents of adolescents so they can be more confident in their parenting practices and support their teenagers as they become young adults.”
