Spare the rod, spoil the child?--Predictive effects of parental adult attachment on adolescent anxiety: The mediating role of harsh parenting.

Based on family system theory, this study explores the relationship between parental adult attachment and adolescent anxiety, and the mediating effect of harsh parenting. A total of 997 families participated in the survey. The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, Harsh Parenting Scale, and Trait Anxiety Scale were used to investigate students and their parents. The results showed that: (1) both paternal and maternal adult attachment avoidance positively predicted adolescent anxiety. (2) Parental harsh parenting mediates the relationship between parental attachment and adolescent anxiety. The results show that adult attachment and harsh parenting have important effects on adolescents' anxiety and family harmony.