Hostile parenting linked to higher risk of lasting mental health issues in children

Parental abuse is characterized by a pattern of harsh and repeated punishments, which may be either physical or psychological in nature

Parents who are harsh to their children can adversely affect their development and general well-being over time.

Although most parents only want the best for their children, some may resort to harsh and harmful types of discipline in an effort to alter their children’s conduct. These include physical punishment and verbal abuse. A child’s overall development, mental as well as emotional health, and sense of self-worth may suffer as a result.

According to a recent research published in the journal of Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, the children who experience harsh parenting may develop long-term mental health issues. 

Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Dublin studied over 7,500 Irish children and found that children who endured “hostile” parenting at the age of three were 1.5 times more likely than their peers to exhibit mental health symptoms that were classified as “high risk” by the age of nine.

83.5 percent of the population had low internalizing and externalizing symptom scores at age three, which later decreased or stayed constant, making them low risk. 

Internalizing symptoms refer to inner-directed problems that cause internal psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression, somatic complaints, and withdrawal, while externalizing symptoms refer to outer-directed problems that bother other individuals and cause interpersonal conflict in the external environment,

6.43 percent of the population was at mild risk, having elevated baseline scores that gradually dropped but were still greater than the first group. With high initial scores that rose by age nine, the remaining 10.07 percent were high risk.

It was determined that 10 percent of the children were at elevated risk for having poor mental health as they were much more likely to have endured hostile parenting.

According to the study, a number of risk factors, such as gender, physical health, and socioeconomic status, have an impact on children’s mental health. As a result of the impact of other factors on the outcomes of mental health, warm parenting did not increase the probability that children would belong to the low-risk group. Additionally, the results of mental health do not necessarily depend entirely on parenting technique.

However, the researchers strongly suggest that those involved in mental health care, educators, and other professionals should be aware of how parenting styles may affect a child who exhibits symptoms of poor mental health. They add that providing additional assistance to parents of children who are already deemed to be at risk may aid in preventing the emergence of these issues.

The researchers observed the mental health symptoms of children when they were three, five, and nine years old. They evaluated two groups of symptoms: those related to mental health that were internalized, such as anxiety and social isolation, and those that were externalized, such as impulsive behavior, aggression, and hyperactivity.

Parental hostility is characterized by a pattern of harsh and repeated punishments, which may be either physical or psychological in nature. Children  may receive unpredictable punishment because of the parent’s mood swings. This form of parenting may also involve frequent physical punishment.

The emotional and mental health of a child can be significantly impacted by verbal abuse, which includes yelling, name-calling, and taunts. Low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can emerge in children who are subjected to verbal abuse. They might also have difficulties making healthy relationships and acquiring social abilities.

Physical punishment, such as hitting or slapping, can harm a child physically and instill feelings of dread and insecurity in them. According to studies, physical punishment is ineffective as a form of child discipline and can cause aggressive behavior, mental health issues, and poor educational outcomes.

The relationship between parents and children can suffer from harsh behavior. A child who witnesses their parents’ physical or verbal abuse may develop a distance, fear, or resentment toward them. As a result, it can prove challenging for parents to build a strong foundation of confidence with their children, which is crucial for their emotional and psychological growth, the study said.

Also Read: Your mental health can show up in a blood test