Ever feel like your child is completely out of control? Are you pushed to your limits, sometimes resulting in yelling or other disciplinary actions you instantly regret? You’re not alone. It can seem impossible to calm an agitated child, but research has shown that there is a connection between parenting methods and children’s behavior. A longitudinal study tracking children up to age seven indicates that harsh parenting techniques, such as yelling and physical punishment, can create a downward spiral.
Researchers in the UK sought to explore Patterson’s hypothesis, which suggests that “maladaptive” parenting practices lead to increased misbehavior in children, and the opposite is true as well. Essentially, the more a child misbehaves, the more likely parents are to resort to yelling, and conversely, the more parents yell, the worse the behavior becomes. The findings, published in Child Development, reveal that misbehaving children can provoke harsher parenting, which in turn fuels more misbehavior.
Many families find themselves caught in this cycle of poor behavior. But how can this be addressed? By examining data from the Millennial Cohort Study, which has followed children from nine months to seventeen years, researchers focused on the early years when harsh parenting is often employed and when behavioral issues emerge. Information was gathered from parent interviews and surveys, predominantly filled out by mothers. These questionnaires assessed the frequency of harsh disciplinary tactics, including yelling, hitting, and other punitive measures, as well as withdrawal tactics such as ignoring or timeout.
The study found a clear link between harsh parenting methods and hyperactive or inattentive behaviors from ages three to seven. Notably, harsh parenting at age five was associated with emotional problems by age seven, and similarly, emotional issues at age five correlated with harsher parenting by age seven. The impact of withdrawal techniques on children’s behavioral or emotional problems was less consistent over time.
When combining harsh and withdrawal tactics, researchers noted a correlation with conduct problems at age three and emotional issues by age seven. However, the relationship between conduct problems and harsh parenting was only consistent between ages three and five.
The authors of the study suggest that the varying impacts of parenting styles might stem from the significant developmental changes children undergo from early to middle childhood. For instance, yelling at a toddler may elicit a different response than yelling at a seven-year-old. They also indicated that withdrawal tactics could help reduce emotional and hyperactive behaviors in younger children but might exacerbate these issues as they grow older. A timeout might be effective for a three-year-old, but not necessarily for a six-year-old.
“Findings not only highlight that parenting practices such as smacking or shouting may have detrimental effects on children’s mental health but also that children presenting with behavioral issues may place additional strain on maternal parenting behaviors,” the researchers noted in an interview with PsyPost. They emphasized the necessity for interventions to address both the child and the overall family dynamic.
Interestingly, although boys are more commonly diagnosed with ADHD, the study found no differences in the relationship between parenting style and behavioral issues based on the child’s gender. The authors concluded that harsh parenting offers no benefits in managing conduct problems. They recommend that parents be educated about the negative consequences of harsh disciplinary tactics and be provided with better strategies for raising their children.
If you’re grappling with your child’s misbehavior, know that you are not alone. The study showed that parents of children with conduct issues at age three were more likely to employ both harsh and withdrawal tactics by age five. This reinforces the consensus that addressing behavioral and emotional problems in children should involve both the child and their parents.
While there is no singular solution to managing your child’s challenging behavior, avoiding harsh disciplinary methods (such as spanking) and considering your child’s developmental stage can positively impact their behavior and emotional health. For further insights into parenting strategies, you might find this post helpful as well.
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Summary:
A study reveals a two-way relationship between harsh parenting and hyperactivity in children, showing that negative disciplinary tactics can lead to increased misbehavior, which in turn provokes more harsh parenting. The research underscores the importance of addressing parenting styles to improve children’s behavioral and emotional well-being.