What impact does parental anxiety have on children according to the contagion hypothesis?

The contagion hypothesis suggests that emotional states, particularly anxiety, can be transmitted from parents to children. When a parent experiences anxiety, it can create a heightened sense of stress in their child as the child observes and internalizes the emotional cues from the parent.

Children are highly attuned to the emotional states of their caregivers, and if a parent demonstrates heightened anxiety, children may adopt similar feelings of unease. This can manifest in various ways, leading to increased stress levels in the child. The emotional environment established by a parent can influence a child’s perception of safety and security, potentially leading to feelings of stress or anxiety that mirror those of their parent.

In contrast, the options that suggest enhancing coping skills, reducing stress levels, or asserting no measurable effect fail to recognize the strong influence that a parent’s emotional state can have on a child’s emotional well-being, as supported by the contagion hypothesis.