Examining the relationship between parental attitudes of individuals who became parents through assisted reproductive technologies and their children's self-perception, anxiety, and depressive symptoms

Objective: Infertility and its treatment have become increasingly prevalent, raising questions about their short- and long-term effects. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the parenting attitudes of individuals who became parents through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) after a long and challenging process, and their children's self-perception, anxiety, and depression levels. Method: The study group consisted of 82 children aged 8–12 who were born via in vitro fertilization (IVF), along with 80 mothers and 58 fathers. The comparison group included 77 spontaneously conceived children in the same age range, along with 74 mothers and 58 fathers. Parenting attitudes were assessed using the Family Life and Child Rearing Attitude Scale (AHÇYTÖ). Anxiety and depression symptoms were evaluated with the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (ÇADÖ-Y)–Parent Form completed by both mothers and fathers. Children completed the Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children(HBAÖ) and the ÇADÖ-Y Child Form. Results: The findings showed that mothers in the IVF group had significantly higher scores in overprotective and strict-discipline parenting attitudes. No significant differences were found in paternal attitudes; however, fathers were more protective when the child was aware of their IVF conception. Although children in the IVF group had higher anxiety scores, no significant differences were observed in depression and self-perception scores between groups. Furthermore, democratic parenting attitudes were positively associated with children's self-perception and negatively associated with depression, whereas authoritarian attitudes were positively correlated with generalized and social anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: Being born through IVF does not appear to be a determining factor in children's psychological adjustment or self-perception. Although some differences in parenting attitudes were observed, the effect sizes were small. The findings suggest that the psychological impact of being conceived through IVF should be evaluated within a broader contextual framework.