Parenting style in childhood and depressive symptoms among family caregivers in middle and later adulthood in the United States: The role of perceived control

Abstract

Background

Childhood experiences with parents can impact family caregivers’ attitudes and well-being in middle and later adulthood. This study aims to examine the association between remembered parenting style of parents in childhood and depressive symptoms among family caregivers in middle and later adulthood.

Method

Data were from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, a longitudinal national survey that included 7108 adult participants at baseline (1993). Conditional process modeling was conducted using data from 629 participants who had given personal care to their family members for one month or more in the second (2003) wave.

Result

The results showed the direct path between parental affection and depressive symptoms (direct effect: -0.105, 95% CI: -0.008, -0.116) and the direct path between parental discipline and depressive symptoms (direct effect: 0.027, 95% CI: 0.014, 0.037) were significant. Perceived control (indirect effect: 0.002, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.005, κ2= 0.001) significantly mediated the relationship between parental affection and depressive symptoms. The indirect effect between parental discipline and depressive symptoms through perceived control (indirect effect: 0.005, 95% CI: 0.003, 0.007, κ2= 0.011) was also significant.

Conclusion

The findings supported the mediation effects of perceived control on the association between parenting styles and depressive symptoms among family caregivers in their middle and later life. Knowledge about the impact of parenting styles on family caregivers may help in developing and targeting support interventions.