Parenting-Related Factors Associated With Depression and Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

TL;DR

This study reviews how parenting-related factors like stress and self-efficacy are linked to depression and anxiety, showing they significantly influence mental health outcomes.

Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive meta-analysis linking specific parenting factors to depression and anxiety, highlighting modifiable psychosocial mechanisms.

Findings

Parental self-efficacy is strongly associated with lower depression (d = 0.96).

Parenting stress is strongly linked to both depression (d = 0.75) and anxiety (d = 0.74).

Warm parent-child relationships are associated with reduced depression.

Abstract

Aging populations and the increasing burden of depression and anxiety highlight the need to identify modifiable psychosocial determinants. Parenting-related factors may influence depression and anxiety risk and severity, but findings remain heterogeneous. We conducted a PRISMA-based systematic review and meta-analysis examining associations between parenting-related factors and depression and anxiety outcomes. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched from inception through 2025. Observational studies reporting quantitative associations were included, and effect estimates were synthesized using random-effects meta-analysis where appropriate. Risk of bias was assessed using a modified Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Fifty-two studies were included. Quantitative synthesis indicated significant associations for several parenting-related factors. In meta-analyses, parental self-efficacy showed a large association with depression (d = 0.96), parenting stress showed strong associations with depression (d = 0.75) and anxiety (d = 0.74), and parent-child relationship quality and warmth/support were associated with lower depression. Findings emphasize that depression and anxiety are not driven by parental status alone but are associated with relational and psychosocial parenting-related dimensions. These results support targeting modifiable parenting-related mechanisms (e.g., stress, self-efficacy, relationship quality) in prevention and intervention strategies.

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