Helicopter Parenting and Related Issues: Psychological Well Being, Basic Psychological Needs and Depression on University Students

Helicopter parenting is not a new dimension of parenting but it is a parenting that involves hovering parents who are potentially over-involved in the lives of their child. (Padilla-Walker, Nelson, 2012) Helicopter parenting is a unique phenomenon (Odenweller et al, 2014) and unique form of parental control (Willoughby et al., 2013) which can be described as highly involved, intensive, a hands-on method. (Schiffrin et al, 2014) In this study, university students examined about their parental attitudes and a number of well-being and mental health related issues. Helicopter Parenting Scale’s psychometric properties examined with factor analysis. After this step basic psychological needs, psychological well-being, students’ depression levels and also their parenting styles were assessed with the relationship of helicopter parenting.  As a result this study is the first which examines the effects of helicopter parenting in emerging adulthood period in Turkish culture. As seen from the results helicopter parenting style make children more prone to the depression in their emerging adulthood period. Also helicopter parenting live scares on their self-esteem makes them more dependent on their families.