Adolescent Mental Health Following Exposure to Positive and Harsh Parenting in Childhood

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to assess longitudinal associations between positive and harsh parenting in childhood and adolescent mental and behavioral difficulties. Methods: Data were drawn from Canada’s population-based National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (data collected from 1994 to 2009, analyzed 2018). The sample included 9,882 adolescents aged 12/13 years old. Parents self-reported positive and harsh parenting when children were 6/7, 8/9, and 10/11 years old. Symptoms of depression/anxiety, hyperactivity, physical aggression, social aggression, and suicidal ideation were self-reported by adolescents at age 12/13. Linear regression was used to examine the associations between parenting behaviors at each age and adolescent psychiatric symptoms, adjusted for children’s baseline symptoms. Results: Harsh parenting at 10/11 was associated with elevated symptoms of early-adolescent physical aggression, social aggression, and suicidal ideation for boys only, and for all children at earlier ages. Beginning at age 8/9, harsh discipline was associated with elevated symptoms of depression/anxiety for boys only. Overall, positive parenting at age 6/7 was protective against depression/anxiety, physical aggression, and social aggression. Significant sex differences emerged beginning at age 8/9, with positive parenting associated with higher symptoms of depression/anxiety for boys only. Positive parenting at age 10/11 was associated with increased depression/anxiety, physical aggression, social aggression, and suicidal ideation among boys, but decreased symptoms of physical aggression, social aggression, and suicidal ideation among girls. Conclusions: Results suggest that the impact of positive and harsh parenting may depend on age and sex, with harsh parenting being more detrimental to boys as they approach adolescence.

Pathways from parenting practices to adolescent suicidality: Evidence on the role of emotional and behavioral symptoms from a prospective cohort of Canadian children

“…For example, child misbehavior may elicit more harsh disciplinary techniques in an attempt to control behavior (Reitz et al, 2006). However, in recent study using NLSCY data, we found that parenting behavior in childhood predicted adolescent mental illness even after adjusting for baseline symptoms (Kingsbury et al, 2019). Our study assessed parenting of the primary caregiver—most often the mother.…”

“…How a parent chooses to discipline a child can influence emotional and behavioral development, and mental health. For example, the use of harsh disciplinary practices such as yelling or hitting a child has been associated with subsequent increased risk of depression, hyperactivity, and aggression in adolescence, particularly among boys (Kingsbury et al, 2019). Authoritarian parenting and harsh disciplinary practices are also associated with higher risk of suicidal thought and suicide attempt (Donath et al, 2014; Lai & McBride‐Chang, 2001; Xing et al, 2010).…”

“…Authoritarian parenting and harsh disciplinary practices are also associated with higher risk of suicidal thought and suicide attempt (Donath et al, 2014; Lai & McBride‐Chang, 2001; Xing et al, 2010). Conversely, positive parenting practices, such as demonstrations of affection toward their child, interest and involvement in their children's activities, and praise for their children's accomplishments, have been associated with subsequent lower risk of depression and aggression, particularly among girls (Boeldt et al, 2012; Kingsbury et al, 2019). Positive parenting has also been associated with reduced prevalence of adolescent suicidality (Lai & McBride‐Chang, 2001).…”

Developmental competencies, temperament, parenting practices and psychosocial adversities in internalizing disorders

“…Under negative parenting, corporal punishment was seen to be significantly higher compared to previous literature. Kingsbury et al (2019) emphasize the role of harsh parenting in the development of both internalizing and externalizing disorders.…”

Can Sense of Coherence Indicate Resilience and Mitigate the Cycle of Violence in Parenting?

“…Harsh parenting (HP) includes coercive parenting tactics ranging from mild corporal punishment to escalated physical abuse and cruelty [3]. HP is associated with child aggression [4] [5] [6], lower verbal skills [7], problem behaviors [7] [8] [9], and depression [10], which have long-term effects on children's mental health. By breaking the cycle of violence in parenting, we can contribute to the prevention of mental illness and the improvement of lifelong mental health.…”