parental anxiety

[pəˈrentəl æŋˈzaɪəti]
nounpl: parental anxieties
ansiedade parental
1. A state of worry, nervousness, or psychological distress experienced by parents concerning their children's health, safety, development, behavior, or well-being
Parental anxiety about school performance is common among mothers and fathers.
A ansiedade parental sobre o desempenho escolar é comum entre mães e pais.
2. Excessive concern or fear by parents about potential dangers or negative outcomes affecting their children
The pediatrician addressed the parents' parental anxiety regarding vaccination safety.
O pediatra abordou a ansiedade parental sobre a segurança da vacinação.
3. A mental health condition in which parents experience persistent, intrusive worries disproportionate to actual risk
Parental anxiety can interfere with a parent's ability to make rational decisions.
A ansiedade parental pode interferir na capacidade dos pais de tomar decisões racionais.
In contemporary North American and Brazilian cultures, parental anxiety is increasingly recognized as a legitimate mental health concern, particularly in urban, middle-class environments where helicopter parenting and intensive parenting styles are prevalent. The term has gained prominence in psychological literature and parenting discourse since the 2000s. In Brazil, while family ties remain strong, discussion of parental anxiety has grown with increased access to mental health resources and parenting literature. The condition is often linked to socioeconomic status, access to information (and misinformation), and cultural expectations about parental responsibility.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
parental worryparental stressparental concernparental nervousnessparental distress
Antonyms / Antônimos
parental confidenceparental reassuranceparental calmparental peace of mind

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ansiedade parental
Standard term used across Brazil in psychological and medical contexts
Rio de Janeiro
ansiedade dos pais
More colloquial phrasing; commonly heard in daily conversation
São Paulo
ansiedade parental
Preferred in medical and academic discussions; formal usage
Portugal
ansiedade parental
Same formal term used, though may also hear 'preocupação parental' in casual speech

Related Words

anxiety disorderchild developmentparenting stressmental healthworryfearconcernparental competence

Related Idioms & Phrases

a worried parent's mind never rests
losing sleep over one's children
the weight of parental responsibility
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