Harsh parenting linked to poorer emotional and social outcomes in children
Study Finds Harsh Parenting Linked to Poorer Emotional and Social Outcomes in Children
A recent study published in Development and Psychopathology reveals that harsh parenting during early childhood can have lasting negative effects on emotional and social development. Researchers from the University of Cambridge and University College Dublin tracked over 7,500 Irish children from age 9 months to 9 years, finding that those exposed to harsh parenting—including yelling, physical punishment, and emotional withdrawal—were significantly more likely to exhibit aggression, anxiety, and poor peer relationships by age 9.
“Early childhood is a critical window for emotional development,” said Ioannis Katsantonis, lead author of the study. “Children who experience repeated harsh discipline are more likely to develop maladaptive coping strategies that can carry into adolescence and adulthood.” The study also highlighted that even occasional harsh parenting, when used consistently, was enough to predict worse outcomes over time. These findings stress the importance of warm, responsive, and regulated caregiving during the formative early years.
Have you reflected on how your childhood discipline style shapes your own parenting today?
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