Parenting styles, anxiety and depression among undergraduate university students

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between parenting styles, anxiety and depression among Makerere University students. It adopted a correlational research design. A sample of 203 students both male and female aged between 18-31 years were selected by use of purposive random sampling technique. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and was analyzed using the Pearson Chi square test. Chi-square goodness of fit test was used to test the significance of the hypotheses. Results revealed that there is not a significant relationship between mothers’ parenting styles and anxiety, x2 (3, N=203) =7.56, p= 0.05. However, the relationship between fathers’ parenting style and anxiety revealed a significant relationship, x2 (9, N=203) = 17.83, p= 0.03. Results further revealed no significant relationship between mothers’ parenting styles and depression, x2 (4, N=203) =5.79, p= 0.21 while fathers’ parenting style had a significant relationship with depression, x2 (12, N=203) = 26.56, p= 0.01. Lastly, results also revealed that there is a significant relationship between anxiety and depression among Makerere University students, x2 (9, N=203) = 112.20, p= 0.00. Conclusively, the mental health of students remains a challenge that needs to be efficiently addressed. Much more effort is required from fathers to support their adult children at the university. This could go a long way to reduce the levels of anxiety and depression among the students.