AUTHOR=Galán-Vera Ingrid Zugey , Lievore Rachele , Moscardino Ughetta , Mammarella Irene C. 

TITLE=Cross-cultural perspectives on social difficulties and anxiety in youth: the role of family cultural values in Mexico and Italy

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1680963

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1680963

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=IntroductionChildren and adolescents who experience social anxiety might face challenges in their social skills, with negative consequences for their quality of life. Contextual factors such as family cultural values may impact the relationship between these variables. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between social anxiety and social difficulties in Mexican and Italian samples, considering the possible influence of family cultural values (i.e., familism, traditional gender roles).MethodsThe study involved 537 Mexican, and 541 Italian parents of children and adolescents aged between 6 and 18 years, who completed an online survey on their children’s skills and anxiety, and their own family values.ResultsThe results suggested that in both countries, social anxiety was positively linked to social difficulties. However, this association was attenuated by higher levels of familism while exacerbated by higher levels of traditional gender roles.DiscussionPsychoeducational programs should inform parents on the key role of family values in shaping children’s social and emotional functioning.