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The Impact of Strict Discipline on Children’s Mental Health: Findings from a British Study

Sunday 16/July/2023 – 01:46 AM

A new British study showed that strict discipline in parenting is linked to the development of children’s mental problems, according to British media.

Strict discipline is associated with the development of mental problems

Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Dublin discovered that children who experienced hostile parenting at the age of three were 1.5 times more likely than their peers to develop mental health symptoms that met high-risk criteria by the age of 9 than their peers.
The study included more than 7,500 Irish children; Sometimes hostile parenting entails severe punishment and can be psychological or physical.

At ages three, five and nine, the researchers recorded the children’s mental health symptoms. They looked at internalized signs of mental illness, such as anxiety and social disengagement, as well as external stimuli, such as impulsive, aggressive behavior, and hyperactivity.

10% of children are at risk of developing a mental health condition

It was found that 10% of the children were at high risk of developing poor mental health. Children in this group were significantly more likely to have experienced aggressive parenting.

While the study showed that parenting style does not completely determine mental health outcomes, and children’s mental health is shaped by multiple risk factors, including gender, physical health, and socioeconomic status.

The researchers argue that mental health professionals, educators and other practitioners should be alert to the potential impact of parenting on a child showing signs of poor mental health, and add that additional support for parents of children already considered at risk can help prevent these problems from developing.

The researchers said: The fact that one in 10 children is in a high-risk category for mental health problems is a source of concern and we must be aware of the role that parenting may play in this, and we are not suggesting for a moment that parents should not set strict limits for the behavior of their children. However, it is difficult to justify repeated harsh discipline, given the mental health implications.

2023-07-15 22:51:08

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