New research published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies suggests helicopter parents may be doing harm to their children's mental health, Reuters reported. Holly Schiffrin from the University of Mary Washington conducted surveys with undergraduates and found that those with excessively involved parents were more likely than others to be depressed or dissatisfied with life. Schiffrin said that the high degree of parental meddling appeared to interfere with the ability of offspring to feel autonomous and competent.