A new study carried out in the States has found that the children of ‘helicopter parents’ suffer from low self-esteem and self-worth, which can expose them to behaviours such as binge-drinking. For the purposes of the study, ‘helicopter parenting’ was defined as being over-involved in children’s decision-making and problem-solving.
Researchers based their study on a previous piece of research which suggested that the children of controlling parents are less engaged in the classroom. In this latest study, they surveyed almost 500 university students, quizzing them over their parents’ behaviour and their own self-esteem.
The study authors found that helicopter parenting had a negative impact on children’s self-esteem, with the situation worsening in scenarios where the child also experienced a lack of warmth and support from the parent.
Commenting on the findings, study author Larry Nelson wrote: “From our past work, we thought there might be something positive about helicopter parenting under certain conditions, but we’re just not finding it. Overall, stepping in and doing for a child what the child developmentally should be doing for him or herself, is negative.”
