The impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Anxiety disorders is one of the most prevalent mental diseases globally, with cases rising by over 55% from 1990 to 2019. Recent research suggests anxiety can be contagious and may affect daily routines and parenting practices. In North African and Middle Eastern countries, where...
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| Format: | Article |
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Springer
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Discover Mental Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00156-y |
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| author | Basma Diaeddin Abuhadra Rima Abohadra Nobutoshi Nawa Takeo Fujiwara |
| author_facet | Basma Diaeddin Abuhadra Rima Abohadra Nobutoshi Nawa Takeo Fujiwara |
| author_sort | Basma Diaeddin Abuhadra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Anxiety disorders is one of the most prevalent mental diseases globally, with cases rising by over 55% from 1990 to 2019. Recent research suggests anxiety can be contagious and may affect daily routines and parenting practices. In North African and Middle Eastern countries, where people face unique challenges such as natural disasters, war, and economic instability, the impact of anxiety on parenting is not well studied. This study aims to explore how general anxiety disorder (GAD) affects parenting styles and to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of GAD among Libyan parents, which are comparable to parents in the MENA region. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted in Libya, a MENA country, the sample included 233 parents aged 18–73 years who were assessed for anxiety and their parenting style by answering a self-administered online survey during the study period (1st May–18th October 2023), using (GAD-7) & (APQ) validated tools. Results A total of 233 responses were analyzed. It was identified that anxious parents, in contrast to non-anxious parents adopted more poor supervision [ $$\beta$$ β 0.62, 95% CI (0.06–1.19)], corporal punishment [ $$\beta$$ β 0.86, 95% CI (0.18–1.55)] and less parental involvement practices [ $$\beta$$ β −0.8, 95% CI (−1.43 to −0.17)] after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education, employment, family income, experiencing miscarriage, the number and sex of their children, and having a child with special needs. Additionally, the prevalence of GAD among Libyan parents was (48.93%). Sex [AOR 3.84, 95% CI (1.57–9.39)], family income [AOR 2.05, 95% CI (1.09–3.84)], and the number of children [AOR 3.23, CI (1.09–9.57)] were all significant predictors for anxiety. Conclusion This study highlights the significant impact of parental GAD on parenting, showing trends like increased corporal punishment, poor supervision, and reduced involvement. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to support anxious parents. Addressing parental mental health can improve family dynamics and break negative intergenerational cycles. Stakeholders and policymakers should prioritize mental health resources to foster positive parenting and mitigate the long-term effects of anxiety on children's development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3625ad53c6ff454f8b156a72f7f2d520 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2731-4383 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-3625ad53c6ff454f8b156a72f7f2d5202025-08-20T02:51:24ZengSpringerDiscover Mental Health2731-43832025-03-015111710.1007/s44192-025-00156-yThe impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional studyBasma Diaeddin Abuhadra0Rima Abohadra1Nobutoshi Nawa2Takeo Fujiwara3Department of Public Health, Institute of Science TokyoPediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of TripoliDepartment of Public Health, Institute of Science TokyoDepartment of Public Health, Institute of Science TokyoAbstract Background Anxiety disorders is one of the most prevalent mental diseases globally, with cases rising by over 55% from 1990 to 2019. Recent research suggests anxiety can be contagious and may affect daily routines and parenting practices. In North African and Middle Eastern countries, where people face unique challenges such as natural disasters, war, and economic instability, the impact of anxiety on parenting is not well studied. This study aims to explore how general anxiety disorder (GAD) affects parenting styles and to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of GAD among Libyan parents, which are comparable to parents in the MENA region. Methods Cross-sectional study was conducted in Libya, a MENA country, the sample included 233 parents aged 18–73 years who were assessed for anxiety and their parenting style by answering a self-administered online survey during the study period (1st May–18th October 2023), using (GAD-7) & (APQ) validated tools. Results A total of 233 responses were analyzed. It was identified that anxious parents, in contrast to non-anxious parents adopted more poor supervision [ $$\beta$$ β 0.62, 95% CI (0.06–1.19)], corporal punishment [ $$\beta$$ β 0.86, 95% CI (0.18–1.55)] and less parental involvement practices [ $$\beta$$ β −0.8, 95% CI (−1.43 to −0.17)] after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education, employment, family income, experiencing miscarriage, the number and sex of their children, and having a child with special needs. Additionally, the prevalence of GAD among Libyan parents was (48.93%). Sex [AOR 3.84, 95% CI (1.57–9.39)], family income [AOR 2.05, 95% CI (1.09–3.84)], and the number of children [AOR 3.23, CI (1.09–9.57)] were all significant predictors for anxiety. Conclusion This study highlights the significant impact of parental GAD on parenting, showing trends like increased corporal punishment, poor supervision, and reduced involvement. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to support anxious parents. Addressing parental mental health can improve family dynamics and break negative intergenerational cycles. Stakeholders and policymakers should prioritize mental health resources to foster positive parenting and mitigate the long-term effects of anxiety on children's development.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00156-yParental mental healthAnxietyGeneral anxiety disorderParenting practicesPositive parentingParental involvement |
| spellingShingle | Basma Diaeddin Abuhadra Rima Abohadra Nobutoshi Nawa Takeo Fujiwara The impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional study Discover Mental Health Parental mental health Anxiety General anxiety disorder Parenting practices Positive parenting Parental involvement |
| title | The impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional study |
| title_full | The impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | The impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional study |
| title_short | The impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among libyan parents cross sectional study |
| topic | Parental mental health Anxiety General anxiety disorder Parenting practices Positive parenting Parental involvement |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44192-025-00156-y |
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