The relationship between helicopter parenting and child depression and anxiety: A literature review

Author

Leah Wong, University of WaterlooFollow

Volume

31

Number

2

Department

Dept. of Psychology

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Date

2026

Abstract

Child and adolescent mental health have been a subject of increasing concern. Likewise, an emerging pattern of childrearing, known as helicopter parenting, has been gaining attention for its association with negative outcomes. This literature review investigates the relationship between helicopter parenting and children’s depressive and anxious symptoms. The review applies various theories, including parenting styles and self-determination, alongside considerations of early childhood experiences and cultural differences in childrearing. It draws on the current body of research regarding the impacts of such concepts to examine connections between helicopter parenting and child psychopathology. Overall, this literature review found that helicopter parenting impedes child autonomy and the development of strategies and skills that support resiliency. The synthesis of current literature will help support future research on helicopter parenting and child outcomes and provide practitioners with better insight into changing dynamics within parent-child relationships.

Subject

Psychology

Keyword

parenting; child psychopathology; depression; anxiety; self-efficacy development

Discipline

Psychology

Document Type

article

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Recommended Citation

Wong, Leah (2026) "The relationship between helicopter parenting and child depression and anxiety: A literature review," Modern Psychological Studies: Vol. 31: No. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholar.utc.edu/mps/vol31/iss2/5