Relationship between Permissive Parenting Style and Atypical Behaviour in Preschool Children, with Generalized Anxiety as Mediator

This study examines the relationship between permissive parenting style and atypical behaviour in preschool children, focusing on the mediating role of generalized anxiety. A community sample of 293 children, aged 3-5 years, were tested with measures assessed by parents and teachers. Regression analyses were employed. The psychometric tests used were: "Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire -- Mother Form," "Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition," "Teacher Rating Scale, and Preschool Anxiety Scale -- Parent version." Children whose parents have a permissive parenting style exhibit a high level of atypical behaviour, and a very high level of generalized anxiety. Generalized anxiety adds significant explanatory variance for atypical behaviour in preschool children over and above permissive parenting style. Generalized anxiety has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between father's permissive parenting style and atypical behaviour and a total mediating effect on the relationship between mother's permissive parenting style and atypical behaviour.