Investigating Helicopter Parenting, Family Environments, and Relational Outcomes for Millennials

To examine the relationship between helicopter parenting and Millennials' personal and interpersonal problems, Millennials (N = 268) reported on their parents' helicopter parenting, parenting styles, and family communication patterns and their own neuroticism, interpersonal dependency, and coping efficacy. Results revealed helicopter parenting's positive associations with the authoritarian parenting style and conformity orientation and Millennials' neurotic tendencies, dependency on others, and ineffective coping skills. In addition, a new Helicopter Parenting Instrument (HPI) emerged as a viable alternative measure of this phenomenon. The implications of helicopter parenting's negative effects include dysfunctional family environments, Millennials' stunted development, and overburdened college campuses.