Comparison of Parenting Style and Mental Health in Single-child and Multiple-children Mothers in Isfahan, Iran

Parenting styles are effective factors for children's personality formation. However, single-child and multiple-children mothers might adopt different parenting approaches. This study aimed to compare single-child and multiple-children mothers in terms of parenting style and mental health.

This descriptive, correlational study was performed on 70 single-child and 70 multiple-children mothers, selected by random sampling, in Isfahan, Iran during 2018-2019. Data were collected using Baumrind parenting style questionnaire and Goldberg mental health questionnaire. In addition, data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21 using descriptive statistics, as well as the independent t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

In this study, the scores of the authoritarian parenting style were higher in single-child mothers, compared to multiple-children mothers (P=0.02). In addition, there was a significant relationship between indulgent (r= -0.47, p <0.001) and authoritative parenting style (r= -0.35, p <0.001) and total mental health score of mothers. In other words, mothers who adopted the indulgent and authoritative parenting style had a higher mental health level (P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the single-child and multiple-children mothers in terms of the level of general health.

Given the effective role of parenting styles on parents’ mental health and the difference observed in the approaches adopted by single-child and multiple-children mothers, it is suggested that related educational programs be designed by policy-makers to raise parents’ awareness of this issue.