Most parents would do anything to help their children be happy and successful.
But too much involvement can be detrimental as a new study shows that college students with overcontrolling parents are more likely to be depressed and less satisfied with their lives.
Experts say this “helicopter parenting” style — hovering over and micro-managing their child’s school and social lives — can negatively affects students’ well-being by violating their need to feel both autonomous and competent. Researchers believe such parenting can violate students’ basic needs.
In the new research, Holly Schiffrin, Ph.D., and colleagues from the University of Mary Washington examined the effect of parenting behavior on college students’ psychological well-being. The study is published online in the Journal of Child and Family Studies.
The researchers discovered parental overinvolvement can lead to negative outcomes in children, including higher levels of depression and anxiety.
Studies also suggest that children of overinvolved or overcontrolling parents may feel less competent and less able to manage life and its stressors.
via ‘Helicopter Parenting’ Can Undermine Students’ Self-Image | Psych Central News.
There is a new version of the helicopter parent which I call the “Blackhawk Parent”. When something (even a minor incident) occurs they are summoned by the child via their mobile phone and swoop into the school with all guns blazing. They have a shoot first and don’t you dare infer that my child is wrong attitude. Their child hides behind the parent’s abusive attitude and tend to behave like they can do anything they want with complete impunity.