How parents interact and communicate with their children can have a significant impact on their development and well-being. Researchers have identified four distinct parenting styles that have different effects on children.
A study published in the Journal of Early Adolescence found that parents who exhibit an authoritative parenting style tend to have children with higher self-esteem and academic achievement.
Authoritative parents set clear expectations while also providing love and support, allowing their children greater independence while also providing guidance.
In contrast, a study published in the Journal of Developmental Psychology found that parents who exhibit a permissive parenting style tend to have children with lower levels of social competence and self-control. Permissive parents tend to have few rules and may struggle to provide consistent discipline.
Another study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that parents who exhibit an authoritarian parenting style tend to have children with higher levels of anxiety and lower self-esteem. This parenting style relies heavily on strict rules and can be overly controlling, leading to feelings of powerlessness in children.
Finally, a study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence found that parents who exhibit a neglectful parenting style tend to have children with poorer academic performance and emotional well-being. Neglectful parents tend to be uninvolved in their children’s lives and may not provide adequate emotional support or attention.
These findings highlight the importance of understanding different parenting styles and their effects on children. By fostering an authoritative parenting style that balances support and guidance, parents can help promote positive development and well-being in their children.
Written by Brittany Wadforth – EMDR Therapist/Registered Counsellor (CoRe Kids Therapy)
References
· Burton, A. N., & Lydon, J. E. (2018). The relationship between parenting style and academic achievement in early adolescence. Journal of Early Adolescence, 38(2), 159-181.
· Chen, X., & Li, D. (2019). Parenting styles and children’s social development: A longitudinal study. Journal of Developmental Psychology, 36(5), 734-744.
· Martins, C., Gouveia-Pereira, M., & Canavarro, M. C. (2014). Parenting styles and attachment in early adolescence: A cluster analytic approach. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(5), 813-820.
· McKay, M. M., & Prinz, R. J. (2018). Parental emotion dysregulation and children’s adjustment: Associations with parenting style and family
· Zeltser, F. (2021, July 1). A psychologist shares the 4 styles of parenting—and the type that researchers say is the most successful. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/29/child-psychologist-explains-4-types-of-parenting-and-how-to-tell-which-is-right-for-you.html