Associations between intensive parenting and life satisfaction: indirect effects of anxiety and structural differences according to parental sex.

Abstract

Intensive parenting beliefs constitute a set of cultural norms that promote a highly demanding, emotionally absorbing, and child-centered approach to parenting. While some of these beliefs may provide parents with a sense of purpose and meaning, their rigid internalization has been associated with higher levels of parental stress and anxiety, particularly within sociocultural contexts characterized by strong gendered expectations regarding parenting roles. The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of anxiety in the relationship between dimensions of intensive parenting beliefs and life satisfaction and explored whether these associations differed by parental sex. Participants were 402 parents (61% mothers) aged 20 to 65 years (M = 36.4; SD = 9.8). They completed the Intensive Parenting Beliefs Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Structural equation modeling using path analysis revealed partially distinct patterns across mothers and fathers. In both groups, the parenting challenge dimension was associated with higher levels of anxiety, whereas child-centered responsibility was related to lower life satisfaction. Furthermore, anxiety partially mediated the associations between specific dimensions of intensive parenting beliefs and life satisfaction. Overall, the findings support the multidimensional nature of intensive parenting and their differential implications for parental well-being.