The impact of parental general anxiety disorder on parenting practices among Libyan parents: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Anxiety disorders is one of the most prevalent mental diseases globally, with cases rising by over 55% from 1990 to 2019. Recent research suggests anxiety can be contagious and may affect daily routines and parenting practices. In North African and Middle Eastern countries, where people face unique challenges such as natural disasters, war, and economic instability, the impact of anxiety on parenting is not well studied. This study aims to explore how general anxiety disorder (GAD) affects parenting styles and to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of GAD among Libyan parents, which are comparable to parents in the MENA region.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study was conducted in Libya, a MENA country, the sample included 233 parents aged 18-73 years who were assessed for anxiety and their parenting style by answering a self-administered online survey during the study period (1st May-18th October 2023), using (GAD-7) & (APQ) validated tools.

RESULTS

A total of 233 responses were analyzed. It was identified that anxious parents, in contrast to non-anxious parents adopted more poor supervision [ 0.62, 95% CI (0.06-1.19)], corporal punishment [ 0.86, 95% CI (0.18-1.55)] and less parental involvement practices [ -0.8, 95% CI (-1.43 to -0.17)] after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, education, employment, family income, experiencing miscarriage, the number and sex of their children, and having a child with special needs. Additionally, the prevalence of GAD among Libyan parents was (48.93%). Sex [AOR 3.84, 95% CI (1.57-9.39)], family income [AOR 2.05, 95% CI (1.09-3.84)], and the number of children [AOR 3.23, CI (1.09-9.57)] were all significant predictors for anxiety.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the significant impact of parental GAD on parenting, showing trends like increased corporal punishment, poor supervision, and reduced involvement. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to support anxious parents. Addressing parental mental health can improve family dynamics and break negative intergenerational cycles. Stakeholders and policymakers should prioritize mental health resources to foster positive parenting and mitigate the long-term effects of anxiety on children's development.