Giani, L., Francesco, S. D., Amico, C., Giuli, G. D., Caputi, M. & Scaini, S. (2025). Mediational Patterns of Parenting Styles Between Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome Difficulties and Youth Psychopathology

In: Children.
https://doi.org/10.3390/children12091134

Highlights

What are the main findings?

Negative parenting practices (poor monitoring, inconsistent discipline, corporal punishment) partially mediate the relationship between Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) symptoms and youth anxiety, depression, and oppositional–defiant symptoms.
Positive parenting practices, although beneficial, did not play a significant mediating role in these associations.

What is the implication of the main finding?

Children’s CDS-related difficulties may lead parents to adopt negative parenting behaviors, which in turn exacerbate psychopathological symptoms in their offspring.
Clinical and preventive interventions should prioritize reducing negative parenting practices, alongside promoting positive ones, to mitigate the impact of CDS on youth mental health.