Overprotective Parenting, Social Anxiety, and External Locus of Control: Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Relationships

Megan Spokas; Richard G. Heimberg

doi:10.1007/s10608-008-9227-5

Cognitive Therapy and Research

December 2009, 33:543

Overprotective Parenting, Social Anxiety, and External Locus of Control: Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Relationships

Authors
Authors and affiliations

Megan SpokasEmail author
Richard G. Heimberg

Original Article

First Online:: 30 December 2008

Received:: 25 March 2008
Accepted:: 12 December 2008

35 Citations
2 Shares
1.4k Downloads

Abstract

A relationship between social anxiety and a parenting style marked by overprotection and low warmth has been repeatedly demonstrated (e.g., Bruch et al. in Anxiety Reaserch 2:57–65, 1989; Lieb et al. in Arch Gen Psychiatry 57:859–866, 2000). The current study supports the findings in the broader literature of a significant relationship between social anxiety and recollections of overprotective and cold parenting among college students. External locus of control partially mediated the relationship between overprotective parenting and social anxiety. However, these analyses used cross-sectional data, and an alternate mediational model was also significant, highlighting the various ways in which these factors interact. Finally, recollections of maternal overprotection predicted an increase in social anxiety during the first semester of college, suggesting their influence on current functioning.

Keywords

Social anxiety Parenting Locus of control Mediator

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Authors and Affiliations

Megan Spokas
- 1
Email author
Richard G. Heimberg
- 2

1.Psychopathology Research Unit, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUSA
2.Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple, Department of PsychologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaUSA

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Overprotective Parenting, Social Anxiety, and External Locus of Control: Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Relationships

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