Authoritarian parenting can lead to depression.

• Position: Latino Children

Authoritarian parenting can lead to anxiety, depression, and somatization (when a person has physical symptoms, but no physical cause can be found) in Mexican-American and Dominican-American children aged four to six, according to a study by Esther Calzada, professor of social work at the University of Texas, Austin.

The study found that almost 50% of children were at risk for anxiety, and 10% for depression and somatization, with these rates persisting over time. Internalizing disorders such as anxiety, depression, and somatization are the most common childhood mental health problems. Latino youths experience higher levels of these disorders than the general population.

"Our study suggests that the disproportionate risk for anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts observed among Latino, compared to non-Latino, youths begins way before adolescence," says Calzada. "By understanding how parenting can promote healthy emotional development starting early In a child's development, we hope to develop programs to support Latino families in preventing these serious negative mental health outcomes."

For Mexican-American children, authoritarian parenting--defined as strict, controlling, and not responsive to the...