The association between parenting styles and depression symptoms in young adults with major depressive disorder: A latent profile analysis

Background: Parenting styles (PSs) are significant risk factors for major depressive disorder (MDD) in young adults. Understanding the common features of these parenting styles and their specific effects on depression is crucial for effective intervention. Aims: To assess the profiles of paternal and maternal parenting styles and their impact on depression-related symptoms in young Chinese adults with MDD. Method: This study involved 717 young adult outpatients (24.20 ± 3.84 years) with MDD, diagnosed at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between April and December 2019. Participants completed the Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran (EMBU) questionnaire and scales measuring depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), anhedonia (SHAPS), and physical symptoms (PHQ-15). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify PS profiles. The effects of different parenting style profiles on depression, anxiety, and anhedonia were assessed using stepwise linear regression. Results: LPA identified three profiles for both paternal and maternal PSs. For fathers: ‘Warm-Preference PS’ (27.2%), ‘moderate PS’ (65.3%), and ‘Harsh-Controlling PS’ (7.53%). For mothers: ‘Warm-Preference PS’ (34.7%), ‘moderate PS’ (12%), and ‘Harsh-Controlling PS’ (53.3%). Regression analyses revealed that punitive and overprotective parenting significantly affected depression and anxiety, while emotionally warm parenting correlated with better mental health. Conclusions: This study applied LPA to classify PS in MDD patients and revealing maternal-specific effects, addressing gaps in prior research. It underscores three distinguished PSs and the significant correlations between PSs and the severity of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in young adults with MDD. Specific patterns of parenting influence mental health outcomes, highlighting the importance of early intervention.