Influence of Parenting Styles on Social Anxiety Among Secondary School Students in Central Golestan Province, Iran

Background:This study examined the relationship between parenting styles and social anxiety among secondary school students in Gorgan, Iran, during 2023, considering the growing impact of adolescent anxiety on mental health and psychosocial functioning. Methods:A total of 289 adolescents were selected through cluster sampling, with one girls' and one boys' school chosen from each of Gorgan's four geographic regions (north, south, east, and west). Within each school, participants were recruited via convenience sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) completed by adolescents, and the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SASA) . Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 16, with the Kruskal–Wallis test applied at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: The mean social anxiety score was 79.01 ± 14.30, indicating elevated anxiety levels. Among participants, 85.12% demonstrated moderate anxiety, while 13.14% exhibited severe anxiety. The authoritative parenting style was the most frequently reported. However, adolescents raised by permissive parents had the highest social anxiety scores, whereas those with authoritative parents reported the lowest ( p < 0.01). Conclusions:These findings suggest that authoritative parenting may serve as a protective factor against adolescent social anxiety. The results support the need for parent-focused educational programs that promote effective parenting practices to prevent and reduce adolescent social anxiety.