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    Parenting Style May Affect Child's Mental Health

    HealthDay – Wed, Aug 3, 2011

    WEDNESDAY, Aug. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Matching your parenting style to your child's personality can greatly reduce the youngster's risk of depression and anxiety, researchers say.

    The three-year study of 214 children and their mothers revealed that a good match between parenting styles and the child's personality reduced the child's risk of depression and anxiety symptoms by half.

    But children in a mismatched relationship had twice the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms.

    The children were an average of 9 years old at the start of the University of Washington study, published online Aug. 1 in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.

    "This study moves away from the one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, and gives specific advice to parents on how to mitigate their child's anxiety and depression," lead author Cara Kiff, a psychology resident at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said in a university news release. "We're considering characteristics that make children vulnerable to anxiety and depression, and factoring in how that shapes how kids react to different parenting approaches."

    "We hear a lot about over-involved parents, like 'tiger moms' and 'helicopter parents,'" co-author and psychology professor Liliana Lengua said in the news release. "It is parents' instinct to help and support their children in some way, but it's not always clear how to intervene in the best way. This research shows that parenting is a balance between stepping in and stepping out with guidance, support and structure based on cues from kids."

    Children who were better able to control their emotions and behavior were more likely to be anxious or depressed if they had a very controlling parent. These children did better emotionally when their mothers gave them some autonomy.

    But kids who were less able to regulate their emotions and actions benefitted from more structure and guidance, the researchers found.

    "Parents should be there to help -- but not take over -- in difficult situations and help their children learn to navigate challenges on their own," Lengua added.

    More information

    The Nemours Foundation offers positive parenting tips.

     

    14 comments

    • Jennifer
      Jennifer  •  9 mths ago
      ...."parenting is a balance between stepping in and stepping out with guidance, support, and structure based on cues from kids." I agree. I think of the parent/ child relationship as a dance. A connected parent who is in tune with their child's needs is more flexable and able to "dance" with their child. It won't be perfect, steps will be missed, but the end result should be a thing of beauty. Many parents do not have this connection created with their children and therefore are unable to pick up on those cues. Instead of dancing with them, they are dancing at them or are taking center stage.
    • Char
      Char  •  9 mths ago
      There is a difference between being a parent and being a friend. My kids can be friends with me when they move out after college. It's really time these experts show the evidence of their ideals. I want to see their children.
    • Big T
      Big T  •  9 mths ago
      This is so true. And as the article says it's the "cues from kids" that we need to tune into. Each child is different and each should be parented in a different way.
      • Char
        Char 9 mths ago
        Are you a parent? There is a difference between being a parent and being a friend. My kids can be friends with me when they move out after college. In the meantime, they will follow my rules because I've been where they are and do know how to guide them. And I do subscribe to the one-size fits all parenting. The rules don't change child to child. You make the rules all inclusive. I think my parents really did know best. Three children and no criminal record or welfare assistance among us. Two college graduates and one trade school expert.
    • b p
      b p  •  9 mths ago
      Breaking News: Water is wet.
    • The Phantom Philosopher
      The Phantom Philosopher  •  9 mths ago
      "Parenting Style May Affect Child's Mental Health"

      Well gee, no kidding!
      • Kuuipo
        Kuuipo 9 mths ago
        It's obvious but how many parents know this? Sadly, from what I see, not enough.
    • JoshSmart
      JoshSmart  •  9 mths ago
      In my parent's and grandparent's generations, they didn't know and didn't care about matching kids with parenting styles. There were also not that many kids needed to see a shrink. Kids with "tiger moms" are less likely to become juvenile delinquents. Proof -- by comparison, less Asian juvenile delinguents are there than kids of the other ethnicity. As an educator, I enjoy teaching Asian kids with authoritarian parents.
    • Anonymous
      Anonymous  •  9 mths ago
      I don't know some of these child "specialist" don't have children or they have trauma from their own childhood they are trying to resolve on someone else child bwhahahaha
    • BradleyBeach
      BradleyBeach  •  9 mths ago
      I'm not sure these 'tiger moms' and 'helicopter parents" are listening . . . I've been saying for years how these parents are doing their children a huge disservice! I’m convinced that many of them, when their child gets married will go on their honeymoon!
      • Younger Grandma
        Younger Grandma 9 mths ago
        Oh, but what about STRICT FATHERS who program even their kids future occupation?? They're no different than 'tiger moms'
      • WAYNE F
        WAYNE F 9 mths ago
        Free trip? I'm in!
      • Kuuipo
        Kuuipo 9 mths ago
        More parents than not control their children way over the top. It's about the parents' egos. When parental ego takes control, the kids suffer. I know a couple who insist on their children being big sports stars. The mental manipulation is amazing. Think of Menendez brothers. Guidance is one thing. Control is bad. My adult kids live their own lives, are involved with me, but not clinging, dependent, weird. I let them be themselves. I had opinions and ideas, but they have their lives. They are not here for me to live my dreams through. I was there to guide, instruct, support. Maybe each kid raised his/her voice to me a few times, max. Not from fear, they just respect me. Feed 'em, love 'em, and leave 'em alone.
    • Kranky Kat
      Kranky Kat  •  9 mths ago
      This is not news.
      • Char
        Char 9 mths ago
        True. It's psychobabble at it's finest.
    • Flying_Bears_Rule!
      Flying_Bears_Rule!  •  9 mths ago
      This is true for all relationshps - you have to mix and match styles or you miss out on a large number of relationships....then again you are looked at as having a personality disorder when you do this. Your kids will figure it out - they are smart. Don't patronize them by acting to their style...keep your own and teach them that everyone has their own way....and it's up to them to learn to manage the relationships.
    • Kuuipo
      Kuuipo  •  9 mths ago
      I see it all the time, having watched my kids and friends' kids grow into adulthood. Being a mom and dad isn't so extremely difficult. Not if you get your own ego out of the way. Feed 'em, love 'em, and leave 'em alone. ~~ Gayelord Hauser. Best parenting advice ever.
    • BubbleGun2448
      BubbleGun2448  •  9 mths ago
      >>>This is not news<<<
      When doctors hinted @this sorta thing 60 yr ago, they got slammed w/ the "blaming parents" charge, & after that med. & pharma. fell in together to produce biopsychiatry. Easier to "blame the brain"; it don't talk back!
    • Morticia
      Morticia  •  9 mths ago
      NO?????? REALLY???? WHO COULD HAVE EVER GUESSED IT????
      THIS JUST IN...... A new top scientist three year study shows that beef comes from cows.
    • World Citizen
      World Citizen  •  9 mths ago
      Where we you people when my parents were damaging my psyche.
     Post a comment
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