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Ishita Roy

Harsh Parenting  In Early Ages Can Lead To Behavioral Issues In Girls

Harsh parenting

A new study published in the journal Psychological Medicine suggests a biological explanation for why harsh parenting in early childhood could lead to behavioral problems, especially among girls. The study is titled Harsh parenting, amygdala functional connectivity changes across childhood, and behavioral problems. The study found that girls who experienced harsh parenting showed a difference in how their brain connections developed over time, especially the amygdala. It is a key region that involves emotions. These brain changes may help explain the link between early parenting experiences and later behavioral issues.

The research used data from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study, a long-term project tracking children’s development from birth. The researchers analyzed brain scans of children at four points between ages 4.5 and 10.5 years, allowing them to observe changes in brain development over time. This longitudinal approach provided a clearer picture than past studies, which often examined the brain at just one point in time or focused on older children.

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/strict-parents-raise-great-liars-the-parenting-mistake-you-didnt-see-backfiring-article-151238734" data-type="tilCustomLink">Strict Parents Raise Great Liars- The Parenting Mistake You Didn’t See Backfiring</a>

To assess the parenting styles, mothers completed a questionnaire called the Parenting Style &amp; Dimensions Questionnaire - Short Version. This was for those with children around 4.5 years old. The questionnaire measured harsh parenting behaviors, such as physical punishments, verbal hostility and punitive discipline. At 10.5 years of age, the same children's behavioral problems were evaluated through two methods:

<ul><li>The Chid Behavior Checklist, which measured emotional and behavioral difficulties</li><li>Children's Depression Inventory 2nd Edition, a self-report questionnaire that assesses depressive symptoms.</li></ul>

The researchers found that harsh parenting in early infancy was linked to externalising behavioural problems, such as aggression and rule-breaking, by the time the children were 10.5. However, there was no clear connection between tight parenting and internalising issues like anxiety or depression. Interestingly, when they examined the data by sex, they discovered that these behavioural repercussions were more prevalent in girls than in boys.

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/woman-discovers-she-was-4-months-pregnant-days-after-giving-birthdoctor-explains-how-article-151236658" data-type="tilCustomLink">Woman Discovers She Was 4 Months Pregnant Days After Giving Birth—Doctor Explains How</a>

In terms of brain development, harsh parenting did not correlate with amygdala size. However, it was associated with changes in how the amygdala developed in respect to other areas of the brain, including as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), orbital frontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

A key finding also noted that girls who experienced harsh parenting shower a faster decline in amygdala-ACC connectivity over time. This was linked to a greater likelihood of externalizing behavior problems. The researchers also suggested that this rapid decrease in connectivity may also reflect in the brin when it comes to adapting to early stress. It also has the potential to make girls more prone to behavioral difficulties later in their lives. 

The researchers noted: “The present study provided evidence that harsh parenting in early childhood is prospectively associated with both externalizing behavior and the developmental trajectories of functional connectivity profiles of the amygdala, with some support for sex differences at the behavioral and neurocircuitry levels."

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A new study published in the journal Psychological Medicine suggests a biological explanation for why harsh parenting in early childhood could lead to behavioral problems, especially among girls. The study is titled Harsh parenting, amygdala functional connectivity changes across childhood, and behavioral problems. The study found that girls who experienced harsh parenting showed a difference in how their brain connections developed over time, especially the amygdala. It is a key region that involves emotions. These brain changes may help explain the link between early parenting experiences and later behavioral issues. How Was The Study Conducted?The research used data from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) study, a long-term project tracking children’s development from birth. The researchers analyzed brain scans of children at four points between ages 4.5 and 10.5 years, allowing them to observe changes in brain development over time. This longitudinal approach provided a clearer picture than past studies, which often examined the brain at just one point in time or focused on older children.READ MORE: Strict Parents Raise Great Liars- The Parenting Mistake You Didn’t See BackfiringTo assess the parenting styles, mothers completed a questionnaire called the Parenting Style & Dimensions Questionnaire - Short Version. This was for those with children around 4.5 years old. The questionnaire measured harsh parenting behaviors, such as physical punishments, verbal hostility and punitive discipline. At 10.5 years of age, the same children's behavioral problems were evaluated through two methods:The Chid Behavior Checklist, which measured emotional and behavioral difficultiesChildren's Depression Inventory 2nd Edition, a self-report questionnaire that assesses depressive symptoms.What Did The Study Find?The researchers found that harsh parenting in early infancy was linked to externalising behavioural problems, such as aggression and rule-breaking, by the time the children were 10.5. However, there was no clear connection between tight parenting and internalising issues like anxiety or depression. Interestingly, when they examined the data by sex, they discovered that these behavioural repercussions were more prevalent in girls than in boys.ALSO READ: Woman Discovers She Was 4 Months Pregnant Days After Giving Birth—Doctor Explains HowIn terms of brain development, harsh parenting did not correlate with amygdala size. However, it was associated with changes in how the amygdala developed in respect to other areas of the brain, including as the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), orbital frontal cortex, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.A key finding also noted that girls who experienced harsh parenting shower a faster decline in amygdala-ACC connectivity over time. This was linked to a greater likelihood of externalizing behavior problems. The researchers also suggested that this rapid decrease in connectivity may also reflect in the brin when it comes to adapting to early stress. It also has the potential to make girls more prone to behavioral difficulties later in their lives. The researchers noted: “The present study provided evidence that harsh parenting in early childhood is prospectively associated with both externalizing behavior and the developmental trajectories of functional connectivity profiles of the amygdala, with some support for sex differences at the behavioral and neurocircuitry levels."