Intergenerational transmission of trait anxiety: Insights from different parenting styles using the actor-partner interdependence model

Abstract

Trait anxiety is a consistent individual characteristic that significantly influences the development and manifestation of anxiety. This study collected 311 parent-child paired questionnaires and utilized the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) to examine the relationship between parental trait anxiety, parenting styles, and the transmission of anxiety within families. The study revealed an intergenerational transmission of trait anxiety from parents to children, with maternal protection serving as a partial mediator between maternal and child trait anxiety. Furthermore, paternal trait anxiety levels are not associated with his parenting style toward his children, but are associated with maternal parenting style. Conversely, Maternal trait anxiety levels are associated with both her own parenting style and paternal parenting style. These findings deepen our understanding of the mechanisms of trait anxiety transmission within families and provide theoretical and practical contributions to promoting family mental health, optimizing parenting styles, and enhancing gender equality.