The moderating effects of positive psychological strengths on the relationship between parental anxiety and child depression: The significance of father's role in Hong Kong

Abstract

The children of tiger parents have an elevated risk for anxiety disorders. This study aimed to expand upon the current literature, in a first such attempt, by uncovering the protective factors against the negative influence of tiger parenting on children. A Chinese sample of 439 Hong Kong children was successfully selected to assess whether tiger parenting increases the risk of child anxiety, and whether children's positive psychological traits can moderate the relationship between tiger parenting and child anxiety. The results showed that tiger parenting was positively associated with child anxiety, while the relationship of four positive moderators (namely, optimism, life satisfaction, hope, and gratitude) with child anxiety was negative. The children's optimism and gratitude also moderated the parental effect on child anxiety. To cultivate children with healthy psychological development, considerable efforts should be made on the parents and children to promote the benefits of positive parenting and positive psychology.