Overparenting blurs neural self-other integration during naturalistic parent-adolescent interactions and downgrades adolescent mental health

Adolescence is a critical developmental period during which neural systems supporting social connection mature, with the parent–child bond serving as a central scaffold. Rising cultural and economic pressures have intensified overparenting (OP), which is associated with adolescent mental health risks, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In a three-year longitudinal study, we examined 74 parent–adolescent dyads stratified by OP levels. Adolescents from high-OP families reported greater anxiety and poorer relationship quality. During a joint Simon task, both groups showed self-other integration. OP significantly modulated interbrain alignment between parents and adolescents associated with self-other integration during naturalistic interactions. Granger causality analyses further revealed that only in low-OP dyads did stronger adolescent-to-parent neural influence relate to lower anxiety and depression and higher life satisfaction. These findings reveal a dual pathway of risk and resilience: OP undermines adolescent well-being, whereas autonomy-supportive contexts promote adolescent-driven neural influence that supports psychological health.