Staying cool, cool, and collected isn’t always the easiest thing to do when raising children. If you’ve ever wanted to scream and rip your hair out, you’re not alone. But science proves it’s worth keeping them together. A new study shows that harsh parenting, especially in preschool, can have widespread effects on children’s brains.
The University of Michigan study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, examined whether there are certain “sensitive periods” in parenting that may affect brain development in adolescence and, therefore, mental health in adulthood.
“Understanding these sensitive periods can inform more effective policy and intervention strategies,” said study author Luke Hyde, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan and an associate professor in the Institute for Social Research.
The study used data from the Family Futures and Child Well-Being Study, which tracked teenagers from low-income families in Detroit, Michigan, from 1998 to 2021. .
Parents who participated in the original study reported harsh behaviors — psychological and physical aggression — toward children ages 3, 5, and 9, while observers reported warm behaviors — reactivity. examine. When the participants were 21 and older, they self-reported their symptoms of anxiety and depression when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Researchers have found that harsh parenting in preschool can have negative effects on overall brain organization. Harshness in middle school has more specific effects on prefrontal cortex-amygdala connections, which help the brain regulate and process emotions.
However, warm parenting during middle school had a positive impact on the development of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. It has also been linked to a reduction in anxiety and depression during the pandemic, a time known to cause anxiety and depression.
Essentially, the researchers determined that harsh parenting in preschoolers has overall negative effects on the brain, while harsh parenting in older children has more targeted negative effects. At this age, warm nurturing has a targeted positive impact – they have observed that it helps participants’ mental health during difficult times!
“Because these experiences appear to influence the risk of depression and anxiety later in life, this study highlights vulnerable periods and opportunities for treatments and policies that promote healthy, long-term development,” said UM graduate student and study author. “Interventions for parents and policies to support parents may have more profound effects earlier in life.”
takeout? The way you parent can literally change your child’s brain—and warm parenting can make it better. Your efforts are worth it. We know it’s hard.
