The Analysis of Helicopter Parenting Based on the Lived Experiences of Mothers of Children with Behavioral Problems

Introduction: Helicopter parenting is a type of parenting style that is used by parents in general and mothers in particular. This study aimed to identify the harms and problems of helicopter parenting based on the lived experiences of mothers of children with behavioral problems. Methods: This study was conducted qualitatively using the interpretive phenomenology approach in 2019. To this end, 19 mothers living in Bandar Abbas who had children with behavioral problems and visited the counseling center of Hormozgan University were selected via purposive sampling and surveyed using semi-structured interviews. The interview data were collected, recorded, and then coded and classified into main categories. Results: The themes that emerged in this study were classified into 5 main categories and 17 subcategories. The main categories included “the mother’s experience of the parenting style, harms to the mother, harms to the child, the factors affecting the choice of this parenting style, and maternal views on continuing parenting”. Conclusion: This study revealed that the helicopter parenting style causes major harm to both mothers and their children. Therefore, to reduce and eliminate the harms associated with helicopter parenting style, experts, educators, psychologists, and counselors should design and implement parenting programs based on psychological components as well as the positive upbringing of the child.