The Impact Of The Hostile Parenting Style On A Child’s Mental Health
There are almost as many parenting styles as there are parents in the world! Every parent has a different approach that works for their kids and family dynamic. So, it’s important not to criticize them for choosing to discipline their kids differently. However, there are some lines that you just cannot cross, no matter what background or culture you come from. A recent study published in the Medical Journal Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences suggests that one particular parenting style may put your children at a higher risk of developing mental health issues. This parenting style includes modes of discipline and over-controlling behavior that is considered hostile or aggressive in nature. According to a study done in Ireland and the United Kingdom, the hostile parenting style doubles a child’s risk of experiencing mental health symptoms. But it’s never too late to make positive changes for the betterment of your kids and family life. Here’s what you need to know about the impact of hostile parenting on a child’s mental health.
Study Links Hostile Parenting And Kids’ Mental Health
Image: Shutterstock
Through a study, researchers discovered that children who had experienced hostile parenting had a higher chance of being high risk and mid risk candidates for mental health issues. This study followed around 7,500 children and families from age 9 months up until they were 9 years old. They were able to detect that children who experienced hostile parenting from the age of 3 were 1.5 times more likely to have high risk high risk mental health symptoms. And they were 1.6 times more likely to have mid risk mental health symptoms by the time they reach the age of 9.
These stats however differed between genders and across several income brackets. The kids who were assigned female at birth were more likely to be in the high risk category than their male counterparts. It was also observed that children from wealthier backgrounds were less likely to show signs or symptoms of mental health issues. Children who came from a single parent household were at high risk for mental issues. However, the study also found that consistent parenting had a limited protective impact on kids in the mid risk category. The application of rules and defined expectations didn’t have a great effect. Nor did warm parenting styles. The researchers concluded that this was due to several other factors that influence mental health like gender or socioeconomic status.
What Is Hostile Parenting?
Image: Shutterstock
One must keep in mind that parenting, just like anything else, is a learned experience. No one knows the right way to parent right off the bat and more often than not, parents mess up one way or another. Your style of parenting is hugely drawn from your upbringing, your own mental state, your own childhood experiences and your attitude towards your kids. We use this information to gauge what we want and don’t want to do as parents. But unfortunately, sometimes not working through our own issues can lead us to the behaviors that we least want to exhibit.
Hostile parenting is an aggressive style of parenting that can either be physical or verbal in nature. Oftentimes, parents will exhibit this style of parenting due to stress, ignorance, hopelessness over their situation or as a futile way to get their kids to listen to them when they don’t see any changes in their negative behavior. This type of parenting is also popularly called authoritarian parenting. Where parents are seen not just as decision makers but as dictators who do not entertain having open conversations with their kids. They have low levels of understanding and making mistakes, even unintentional ones can lead to severe punishments. And although this is done in order to make their kids obedient, these kids turn out to be rebellious and aggressive as they grow older. They are also more anxious because they always anticipate the worst. And they may be inclined to be depressed because of their environment and treatment.
Ways To Reduce The Effects Of Hostile Parenting
Image: Shutterstock
One sure fire way to change your child’s mental state for the better is to change your parenting style. This is why doing internal work where you sort out your own issues is important. It’s much easier to be a better parent when you work towards being a good person. Seeking therapy is a great step if you’d like to address any stress, trauma or past parenting experiences you need to work through. You can also sign up for some parenting classes to learn and implement gentler parenting techniques. It’s also important to have a support system that can help you stay accountable and can give you a break when you need some time alone to cool off.
The effects of hostile parenting can have a lasting impact on both the child and the parent. This is why it needs to be addressed and resolved sooner rather than later. Work towards being more empathetic and understanding so that you can rebuild your relationship with your kids!
Sources
- Population heterogeneity in developmental trajectories of internalizing and externalizing mental health symptoms in childhood: differential effects of parenting styles, Cambridge University
- Types of Parenting Styles and Effects On Children, NCBI
