Many studies have shown that family factors, such as conflicts and parental rearing style, play a major role in the development of adolescent depression. The majority of studies investigating the direct effects of parental style on depression or other variables have found that depressive symptoms correlate with parental style characterized by a lack of warmth and acceptance, frequent criticism and psychological control. However, to understand the development of depression during adolescence, it is important to find the mechanisms by which certain factors exert their influence. There are few studies which suggest that the relationship between parental style and depression could be mediated by coping strategies or problem solving skills. The purpose of this research it to determine whether mother’s and father’s parental style predicts depression in adolescence and weather that relationship is mediated by coping strategies. The sample consisted of 827 high school students. The results have shown that negative and positive parenting styles predict depression in adolescents. Also, it was demonstrated that problem focused, emotion focused coping and avoidance mediate the relationship between mothers’ and fathers’ negative parenting and depression. On the other hand, only problem focused coping mediated the relationship of mothers’ and fathers’ positive parenting and depression.

parental rearing style, coping strategies, depression, adolescents