Latent profiles of parental psychological control, harsh parenting, and adolescent psychological resilience: Associations with adolescent depressive symptoms

Introduction: In terms of the risk of developing depressive symptoms, adolescents are a heterogeneous group according to their characteristics and environment. However, the effect of the heterogeneity on depressive symptoms remains unclear. Although the effects of parental psychological control, harsh parenting and adolescent psychological resilience (as a trait in this article) have been well-documented, these factors are generally examined separately, while little is known about their interactive effects on adolescent mental health. The goal of this study is to explore latent profiles of parenting and adolescent psychological resilience and to compare the corresponding levels of depressive symptoms in adolescents. Methods: Self-reported data from 1,049 adolescents (Mage = 14.2 ± 1.7, Nboy = 432) were used in latent profile analysis to categorize participants based on parental psychological control, harsh parenting, and adolescent psychological resilience. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to examine the associations between latent profiles and adolescent depressive symptoms. Results: Three distinct profiles emerged, each associated with different levels of adolescent depressive symptoms after adjusting for covariates: Supportive and resilient profile (n = 308, 29.4%; reference), Struggling and vulnerable profile (n = 463, 44.1%; odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% CI, 1.96-2.71), and Pressured but adaptive profile (n = 278, 26.5%; OR, 4.44; 95% CI, 3.75-5.25). Conclusion: Individuals with highest level of depressive symptoms were more likely to be classified into Pressured but adaptive profile. Parents should avoid psychological control and harsh parenting in the process of raising children.