The effects of harsh parenting
From an article by Child and Family Blog
Although most parents strive to provide a loving, gentle and supportive environment for their children, they sometimes rely on harsh parenting practices to instil discipline and rules. Research shows that harsh parenting, such as hitting or shouting, may have a damaging effect on children’s behaviour and emotional development. Not to mention their educational attainment. This can lead to a self-perpetuating loop in which harsh parenting practices increase children’s mental health problems, which leads to further increases in harsh parenting practices, thus further exacerbating children’s mental health difficulties.
A study explored the two-way relations between parenting behaviours and children’s mental health. The study included 14,037 children (49% female, 84% White) and one of their parents (primarily mothers) who were part of the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Participants came from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring that the study was representative of the UK population.
Using harsh parenting techniques, such as shouting at or hitting three- to five-year-olds, led to children showing more symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention, and more emotional problems when they were five and seven. These findings are consistent with previous research showing that harsh parenting practices have a negative effect on children’s mental health.
This is not a one-way relation. Parents of children who showed more conduct problems and hyperactive/inattentive behaviours and parents of children with higher levels of emotional problems were more likely to increase their harsh parenting in the subsequent year. Thus, harsh parenting may have negative effects for children through a negative self-perpetuating loop: In this way, harsh parenting practices can increase children’s mental health problems which, in turn, lead to further increases in harsh parenting practices.
How can parents support children with behavioural or emotional issues?
1. Support children’s ability to meet expectations
Other parenting techniques should be used to support children’s healthy development, such as ignoring unwanted behaviours, setting clear expectations, and explaining why certain behaviours are unwanted. These approaches help children understand and learn from their mistakes without damaging their self-esteem or sense of security. Using such methods can lead to a more positive and supportive relationship between parent and child.
2. Consider socio-emotional difficulties
Children experiencing big emotions or having trouble behaving appropriately can increase the stress and challenges of parenting. Thus, parents are encouraged to reflect on their parenting strategies and seek the assistance of mental health professionals to develop ways to support their children in overcoming challenging behaviours without resorting to harsh parenting tactics.
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From an article by Child and Family Blog, 29/11/2023