Investigating the Relationship Between Parenting Styles and Levels of Social Anxiety and Dental Anxiety in Adolescents

Background: Dental anxiety is a challenge faced by dental professionals when treating young children and adolescents. It is caused by several complex factors. This study aimed to investigate the association between different parenting styles and the levels of social anxiety and dental anxiety in adolescents. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 126 adolescents aged 12-19 and their mothers at a private pediatric dental clinic in Zahedan in 2021. The convenience sampling method was used to select participants. The Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were employed to measure dental anxiety and social anxiety, respectively. Mothers completed the Baumrind Parenting Styles Questionnaire. Statistical analyses included variance tests, post hoc (Tukey) tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: According to the findings of this study, the number of mothers with permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative parenting styles was 4 (3.2%), 9 (7.1%), and 113 (89.7%), respectively. The means±standard deviations (SD) of dental anxiety in the authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian parenting styles were 45.80±28.0%, 45.31±11.83%, and 35.42±18.49%, respectively. In addition, the mean scores±SD of social anxiety in the authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian parenting styles were 22.61±17.71%, 48.81±5.24%, and 38.72 ±11.93%, respectively. According to the results, social anxiety and maternal parenting styles were significant and influential factors in dental anxiety in adolescents (P 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the significant relationship between dental anxiety, social anxiety, and parenting styles in adolescents. Addressing social anxiety and understanding the impact of parenting styles can help reduce dental anxiety. Interventions should prioritize creating a supportive environment and attending to psychological well-being alongside dental care.