Parenting behaviors and emotional well-being: Exploring stress, anxiety, and depression in Vietnamese children

Abstract

Children’s emotional well-being is essential for healthy development and strongly influences their academic, social, and psychological outcomes. In Vietnam, where cultural norms prioritize family unity and academic achievement, parenting practices exert significant influence on children’s mental health. Gender disparities in stress, anxiety, and depression further complicate these dynamics. This study explores the associations between parenting behaviors, discipline, punishment, and psychological control and children’s emotional well-being, with particular attention to gender differences. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 324 students (142 boys, 182 girls) from Grades 6–9 in Vietnamese schools. Participants completed the Parenting Behavior Scale–Child Version and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability assessments, and independent t-tests. Findings showed that 64.2% of children reported normal stress, 38.0% normal anxiety, and 50.9% normal depression levels, though a considerable proportion experienced mild to severe symptoms. Girls consistently reported higher stress (M = 1.04, SD = 0.54), anxiety (M = 0.77, SD = 0.48), and depression (M = 0.85, SD = 0.60) compared to boys. Parenting behaviors were characterized by moderate discipline, infrequent punitive actions, and occasional psychological control. Parenting practices significantly affect children’s emotional health in Vietnam. Gender disparities highlight the need for targeted, culturally sensitive interventions to strengthen resilience and reduce psychological distress in school-aged children.