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 ۱۲۶ adolescents aged ۱۲-۱۹ and their mothers at a private pediatric dental clinic in Zahedan in ۲۰۲۱. 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 ۴ (۳.۲%), ۹ (۷.۱%), and ۱۱۳ (۸۹.۷%), respectively. The means±standard deviations (SD) of dental anxiety in the authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian parenting styles were ۴۵.۸۰±۲۸.۰%, ۴۵.۳۱±۱۱.۸۳%, and ۳۵.۴۲±۱۸.۴۹%, respectively. In addition, the mean scores±SD of social anxiety in the authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian parenting styles were ۲۲.۶۱±۱۷.۷۱%, ۴۸.۸۱±۵.۲۴%, and ۳۸.۷۲ ±۱۱.۹۳%, respectively. According to the results, social anxiety and maternal parenting styles were significant and influential factors in dental anxiety in adolescents (P<۰.۰۰۱). 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.