Parenting styles and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in college students: the mediating role of perfectionism

Abstract

IntroductionObsessive-compulsive symptoms is a common psychological phenomenon among early adulthood college students, which are closely related to their parents’ parenting styles. Theoretical and some empirical studies have suggested the mediating role of perfectionism in this process, but this has not been confirmed, and the binary perspective of positive-negative perfectionism has not been addressed in this issue.MethodsThis study aimed to investigate the mediating role of perfectionism in the relationship between parenting styles and obsessive-compulsive symptoms among college students. A total of 661 college students participated in this study.ResultsNegative perfectionism mediated the relationship between negative parenting style and obsessive-compulsive symptoms among college students. Negative parenting style predicted obsessive-compulsive symptoms through its positive predictive effect on negative perfectionism. However, the mediating effect of positive perfectionism was not significant in this process.DiscussionThis study provides further evidence of the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and offers new ideas for interventions for OCD.

Relationship between Parenting Style and Children’s Obsessive-compulsive Disorder

“…This implies that degree rather than kind is the primary distinction between those with OCD and the general population. Therefore, normal people could also suffer from certain compulsive symptoms (Hu, Liang, Liu, et al, 2023).…”

“…Because obsessive-compulsive symptoms typically appear in the early stages of adulthood, researchers have concentrated on parenting styles, one of the most significant external influences linked to an individual's development during adolescence (Hu, Liang, Liu, et al, 2023). There are diverse studies on the relationship between parenting style and OCD in many countries around the world.…”

“…A parent's parenting style is a collection of the attitudes, feelings, and actions they have toward raising their children over the course of raising them. This architecture is not likely to alter significantly depending on the circumstances (Hu, Liang, Liu, et al, 2023).…”

Effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Parenting Styles, and Family Accommodation on Patients Diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

“… 21 Research has revealed a significant association between parenting styles and attachment styles and moral disengagement. 22 Negative perfectionism plays a mediating role between a negative parenting style and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in college students, 23 and an authoritative parenting style is closely related to higher levels of social–emotional adjustment in preschool children. 24 In fact, responsive parenting styles have been shown to positively impact and reduce adolescent bullying behaviors.…”