What the study found
Changes in independence-oriented socialization goals were not globally associated with child and adolescent anxiety disorders. Across countries, greater emphasis on the interdependence-related goal of religious faith was associated with fewer anxiety disorders.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that cultural change may play a role in children’s and adolescents’ mental health. They also suggest that religiosity may be protective by fostering purpose and social connectedness, especially as young people grow up in more secular societies.
What the researchers tested
The researchers examined links between changes in socialization goal norms from 1989 to 2022 and child and adolescent anxiety disorder incidence rates across 70 countries. They used data from the World Value Survey, Global Burden of Disease study, Human Development Report, and Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, and also ran validation analyses with individual-level data from the United States.
What worked and what didn't
Country-level cross-temporal regression showed no global effect of independence-oriented socialization norms. Moderation analyses found no association in non-WEIRD countries, but a significantly stronger link between independence orientation and more anxiety disorders in WEIRD countries. In contrast, more emphasis on religious faith was associated with fewer anxiety disorders across time; the U.S. validation analyses replicated this finding, and a cross-lagged panel model supported effects from religiosity to child and adolescent anxiety. Effect sizes were small.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond noting that effect sizes were small. The findings are based on country-level and U.S. validation analyses, so the scope of the evidence is specific to the measures and datasets used.
Key points
- Across 70 countries, independence-oriented socialization norms were not globally linked to child and adolescent anxiety disorders.
- A stronger link between independence orientation and more anxiety disorders appeared only in WEIRD countries.
- Greater emphasis on religious faith was associated with fewer child and adolescent anxiety disorders across time.
- U.S. validation analyses replicated the religiosity finding and suggested religiosity norms were a stronger predictor than maternal religiosity.
- The abstract reports small effect sizes and does not give detailed limitations.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Independence norms were not globally linked to anxiety
- Authors:
- Leonard Konstantin Kulisch, Ana Lorena Domínguez Rojas, Silvia Schneider, Babett Voigt
- Institutions:
- German Center for Lung Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Osnabrück University, Universidad Católica de Pereira
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-08
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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