Dealing with Overparenting: Developmental Outcomes in Emerging Adults Exposed to Overprotection and Overcontrol

Abstract Overparenting is defined as a parenting style characterized by overprotection, overcontrol, and an excess of involvement in the life of one’s offspring. These types of parenting practices turn out to be particularly intrusive during the period of emerging adults in which the need for autonomy is the element that most characterizes this stage of development. The current review aimed at summarizing studies that considered the repercussions of overparenting’s dysfunctional behaviors on offspring during the developmental phase of emerging adulthood and was carried out using the new Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol. Articles were retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science databases. After having initially considered 832 papers, 31 studies were deemed eligible to be included in this review. The analysis of these studies showed that individuals subjected to overparenting are prone to developing various internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Internalizing symptoms are more prevalent and are often associated with conditions such as depression, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety. Pivotal recommendations have been suggested to reduce the impact of overparenting practices on the well-being of young adults. These include the development of coping strategies and the development of trust, resilience, and open communication within the supportive context of clinical intervention.