Parenting Styles and Their Influence on Pre-School Kids Dietary Behaviour and Caries Status

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Sonali Saha, Kirti Pal, Gunjan Yadav, Kavita Dhinsa, Archana Singh, Gaurav Choudhary

Abstract

Context: In 1967, Baumrind identified parenting as a spectrum of techniques used to control and socialize children. Baumrind and Thompson (2002) categorized these into three main styles: authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive. The Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ), created by Robinson et al. in 1995 and later simplified, measures these styles.


Aims: This study investigates the relationship between parenting styles, children's dietary behaviours, and dental caries among preschoolers in Lucknow.


Settings and Design: Questionnaire based survey


Methods and Material: The study involved 252 preschool children. After obtaining permission, the PSDQ was distributed in schools. Only children aged 3-5 years living with both parents were included, excluding those with medical issues or incomplete questionnaires.


Statistical analysis used: n Master software (version 2.0, CMC Vellore) was used for statistical analysis.


Results: The findings showed that authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles were the most common among the participants. The study suggests that these parenting styles can affect children's eating habits, which may increase the risk of tooth decay.


Conclusions: Most parents employed an authoritative style, which correlated with better oral health and dietary habits. Permissive parenting was linked to less favourable outcomes.

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