The Relation between Parental Anxiety and Parenting Practices in 12-18 Years old Male Students with Mild Mental Retardation

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between parents' child bearing methods parents and school anxiety, regarding to the self concept as a variable, especially in mentally retarded school students. Methods: The study Population included all known-available educable mentally retarded students, aged 12-18 years, in Kermanshah. The other entry criteria for the above-mentioned population was the parents age between 30-55 years and having at least 5-year elementary education. After applying these criteria, 125 students remained and enrolled in the study. The self concept test was conducted on 125 students selected out of total 157. Then, parents' child rearing methods and students school anxiety level were measured (the teachers filled the school anxiety Form). The obtained Data underwent analyses of statistical tests, including Kolmogorov- Smirnov, pearson and spearman correlation (to examine the relation between variables) and covariance analyses test. Results: The results showed that the authoritative child rearing methods are in significant negative relation with school anxiety. (P=0.002 for Fathers and 0/001 for mothers). The authoritarian child rearing methods a significant positive relation with school anxiety (P=0/009 for father and P=0/020 mother). In addition, permissive child rearing had not any correlation with school anxiety, but self-concept's relation with mentally retarded students school anxiety was positive (P=0/004).