Evaluation of the relationship between perceived helicopter parenting attitudes and fear of negative evaluation among high school students

In this study, helicopter parenting—characterized by excessive involvement and perfectionism and considered a contemporary parenting approach differing from traditional parenting styles—was examined. The aim was to investigate the relationship between perceived helicopter parenting and high school students' fear of negative evaluation. This cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted with 196 students enrolled in the 9th, 10th, and 11th grades at Bolu Kanuni Anatolian High School during the 2024–2025 academic year. The Descriptive Sociodemographic Form, the Perceived Helicopter Parenting Attitude Scale (AHETÖ), and the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (BFNE) were administered face-to-face to the participants. In our study, it was observed that the number of mothers evaluated as helicopter parents was higher compared to fathers (p < 0.001). It was also observed that female students had higher levels of fear of negative evaluation compared to male students (p < 0.05). Perceived helicopter parenting levels from both parents did not differ by gender (p > 0.05). As participants' perceived helicopter parenting levels from their mothers increased, their fear of negative evaluation also increased (p < 0.05). Additionally, perceived helicopter parenting levels from mothers and fathers were found to influence each other positively (p < 0.001). While perceived helicopter parenting levels from mothers were not affected by maternal age (p > 0.05), fathers under the age of 40 had higher levels of helicopter parenting in the emotional–personal domain compared to fathers aged 40 and above (p < 0.05). Fear of negative evaluation levels were higher among students reporting low income compared to those reporting high income (p < 0.05). The study concluded that as students' perceived helicopter parenting levels from their mothers increased, their fear of negative evaluation also increased. It was determined that maternal and paternal helicopter parenting attitudes influenced one another. Keywords: Helicopter Parenting, Parenting Attitudes, Fear of Negative Evaluation