Articles tagged with Parenting
A new study found that certain parenting approaches, such as lower supervision and inconsistent discipline, are associated with a higher likelihood of children showing behavioral and emotional problems. High positive parenting with better supervision was linked to lower internalizing and externalizing behaviors in children.
Research in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine suggests that mothers with poor sleep quality in late pregnancy had babies with lower weight in the first 6 months of life, but higher weight after age 1-2 years. This effect was strongest in male infants and in babies born at term.
Researchers found that fathers of daughters show higher levels of attachment, commitment, trust, and intimacy toward the child's mother than fathers of sons. Having a daughter appears to be protective of the primary parent relationship, altering men's psychologies in interesting ways.
A nationwide birth cohort study found that negative feelings about pregnancy are associated with child developmental delays, while social support reduces risks. Mothers who reported 'no specific feelings' when learning of their pregnancy had the strongest association with developmental delays, highlighting the importance of identifying...
A new University of Oklahoma study examines whether targeted social media messages can increase parents' knowledge and help them take action to prevent teen vaping. The research aims to give parents the information and tools they need to recognize vaping and help prevent its use with their children.
A survey of 365 Australian adolescents aged 10-15 found that those who began using social media at a younger age reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression. The study suggests that delaying children's first exposure to social media may be a promising policy for protecting mental health.
A randomised trial of 510 parents in wartime Ukraine found that support groups halved violence against children and decreased depression and anxiety symptoms. The programme, called 'Hope Groups', was designed to provide safety, trust, and hope to families during the war.
The 2026 Childhood Obesity Conference, 'Be the Reason Kids Greaux Healthy,' will explore strategies for preventing and treating childhood obesity, bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, educators, and community leaders. The conference will feature keynotes, sessions, and poster presentations on emerging topics in pedi...
A new book argues that adult children are cutting ties with their families of origin in favor of creating a chosen family environment. Research by Ohio State University professor Rin Reczek found that adult children who go 'no contact' with one or both parents elect estrangement as a last resort. The data shows that estrangement is dri...
A recent study found that TikTok food content prompts hunger and cravings in adolescents, but parents can help them navigate its influence by fostering critical conversations and encouraging family meals. The study suggests parents can provide a protective perspective by questioning influencer claims and promoting healthy social media ...
A cohort study found that excessive parental smartphone use is associated with slower language development in children, while digital device ownership is linked to lower concurrent language performance. The study highlights the importance of considering screen use in the broader family context when evaluating children's language develo...
Researchers found that parents who ran with a stroller were less likely to sustain an overuse injury during the first three years after becoming a parent. For every 1,000 miles run, stroller runners saw a 55% lower injury rate compared to those who ran without a stroller.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine suggests that good sleep quality is more important than screen time for helping adolescents succeed in school and maintain healthy friendships. Healthy sleep habits explained a substantial portion of the relationship between mental health symptoms and school performance.
A study of over 128,000 US adults found that children of divorce had a 41% higher odds of depression in adulthood. Parental mental illness and substance use were key factors underlying this association.
This new section in JMIR Pediatrics & Parenting explores the modern shift to data-driven parenting with digital technology guiding parental planning. Research topics include the impact of wearable devices, AI-powered apps, and tracking on child health outcomes, parental well-being, and the parent-child bond.
A middle school substance-use prevention program led to wide-ranging benefits well into adulthood, including better communication with romantic partners and better-adjusted children. Parents who participated in the program reported lower levels of family conflict and higher levels of family cohesion.
Research reveals that job characteristics, including schedule flexibility and indispensability, influence how couples balance work and family responsibilities. The study found that women were more likely to make adjustments to support family needs, but this effect was attributed to differences in job characteristics rather than gender.
A new study from Ohio State University found that using screens to calm children has different effects on cognitive development depending on the child. The research suggests that parents need more resources, including access to outdoor spaces and mindfulness tools, to help their children regulate their emotions and develop healthy rela...
A new study reveals that caregiving behaviors in ants are regulated by neural mechanisms that change over the course of an ant's lifetime. The researchers found two brain signaling molecules, Neuropeptide F and Allatostatin A, that act as opposing regulators of behavior, depending on the ant's internal state.
A new University of Arizona study reveals that more than 70% of parents and children in the US use media across various devices during family meals. The study found that media use by parents and children is not linked to each other, and that ethnicity is a significant predictor of media use.
A new study published in PLOS One found that slower maternal vocal responses at 12 months may predict later childhood behavior disorders such as ADHD. The study analyzed data from 158 mother-infant pairs and found associations between slow maternal responses and increased odds of psychiatric diagnoses by age seven.
A new study by UCL researchers found that mothers with care proceedings in England are 21 times more likely to die within 10 years compared to other mothers. The study analyzed data from NHS hospitals and family court records, revealing a starkly higher risk of maternal mortality among mothers who experienced care proceedings.
A new study analyzing 86,000 Norwegian children found that the association between parental body mass index (BMI) and childhood BMI is largely explained by shared genetics. Genetic effects accounted for an estimated 79% of the statistical association between a mother's BMI and her child's BMI at age 8.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reveals that cumulative exposure to parental smoking over time significantly increases the likelihood that adolescents will view smoking and vaping more favorably and engage in those behaviors. Most surprisingly, a father's smoking habits were found to be more significantly linked to ...
A pilot study found that brief videos in the hospital nursery improved first-time fathers' knowledge of safe sleep and infant crying. However, gains were not fully sustained post-discharge, highlighting the need for at-home reinforcement.
A new study from Northwestern University found that fathers without access to paid leave face higher levels of anxiety and depression. The study highlights the critical role paid paternity leave plays in supporting new dads' mental health following the birth of their baby.
Fathers who take longer periods of parental leave, up to 14-40 weeks, are less likely to develop depressive symptoms than those with shorter leave. This is because sustained time at home helps build a closer connection with their child and establishes everyday routines.
A new study from the University of Tokyo finds that a one-off training session increased time spent by fathers on childcare and housework, freeing up mothers to use for their own work. The training corrected common misconceptions about paternity leave and led to significant behavioral change.
A new Oxford study documents the hidden systems of emotional control sustaining Georgia's transnational surrogacy market, where intermediaries govern emotions and discipline conduct. Most women enter surrogacy through advertising on Instagram and TikTok, while staged payments reinforce financial control over their mobility.
Half of parents track their adult kids' locations occasionally, with 1 in 4 saying it increases anxiety. While tracking provides reassurance, constant access to information can also fuel anxiety and blur the lines between safety and privacy.
Leading child psychologist Dr. Barish argues that grandparents have a crucial role to play in helping children develop a sense of purpose beyond personal success and in providing emotional support. He recommends practices like volunteering together and frequent family conversations about kindness and understanding.
The Temple Family Thriving Program integrates caregiver and early childhood support into prenatal and postpartum care to strengthen parent-child bonds and promote healthy development. The program aims to reduce risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect by addressing caregiver stress and promoting positive parenting practices.
A study by University College London found that physical punishment is associated with detrimental outcomes for children's development and wellbeing. Children who experienced physical punishment were more likely to engage in risky behaviors and have poorer educational attainment.
The study highlights the importance of parents' motivational practices in supporting their children's math learning. Parents can play a critical role by encouraging independence, praising effort, and giving children room to explore and struggle with hard problems. By doing so, they can help their children develop motivation and engagem...
A US-based longitudinal study found that Black fathers have lower all-cause mortality rates by middle age compared to nonfathers. The association was not observed in White fathers, highlighting racial differences in health outcomes of fathers.
A new book by a Cambridge child psychotherapist argues that treating parents alongside children is crucial for addressing the youth mental health crisis. The author highlights the importance of considering an 'ecological system', including families, communities, and environment, in understanding young people's wellbeing.
A nationally representative survey of US adolescents and young adults found that a fifth used AI chatbots for mental health advice. Proactive discussion with parents and clinicians about chatbot use is necessary to promote safety and linkages to evidence-based care.
A new study by the Child Mind Institute found that more than one in four youth with mental health and neurodevelopmental concerns experienced negative online experiences, including cyberbullying and harassment. Despite this, only 20% of these incidents were reported through platform tools.
A new study from Florida Atlantic University and Mykolas Romeris University found that maternal disapproval is a significant factor in the demise of best friend relationships. Children who reported their mothers' disapproval were more likely to abandon those friendships, even if they initially persisted.
A study found that adolescents aware of their state's minor consent laws were more likely to seek and receive HIV and other sexually transmitted infections testing. Teens who accurately knew their legal capacity to consent to healthcare services had higher testing rates.
A parental support package significantly mitigated postpartum burnout among childbearing physicians in training. This study highlights the importance of work-life balance for physician well-being.
A new study found that physically or psychologically aggressive parenting can disrupt a child's ability to regulate stress, leading to more external regulation as they age. Researchers observed 129 mother-child pairs and used heart rate monitoring to measure physiological regulation.
A recent study reveals widespread exposure to harm among US teens using AI chatbots, with entertainment being the most common motivation. The study found that nearly half of teens experienced at least one risk, including exposure to unsafe content and encouraging risky behavior.
Researchers have created a new scale to measure whether lactating mothers' psychological needs are being met, providing a tool to improve breastfeeding outcomes. The study found that when all three basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) are satisfied, exclusive breastfeeding is more likely to persist.
A new Northwestern University study found that 60% of paternal deaths in Georgia between 2017 and 2022 were preventable, resulting from homicide, accidental injury, suicide, or overdose. The study also revealed that fatherhood appears to be protective for men, with lower death rates among those who are fathers.
A single-center study demonstrates uterus transplant feasibility in multidisciplinary centers, supporting its use for women with absolute uterine factor infertility. Ongoing reporting and data sharing will refine risk estimates and optimize patient counseling.
A new study by Lee Gettler of the University of Notre Dame found that COVID-19 lockdowns had a limited lasting effect on fathers' involvement in childcare, contrary to initial reports. The 15-year longitudinal data showed no significant change in fathering behaviors before and after the pandemic, with most dads resuming their pre-pande...
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that excessive screen time may hinder children's language development. The research found a correlation between increased screen time and delays in vocabulary acquisition and communication skills.
A study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that interspersing realistic portrayals of motherhood alongside idealized posts can help sustain positive feelings and reduce shame among mothers. This balanced approach may mitigate some social media harms, particularly for those prone to social comparison.
Penn State professor Greg Fosco emphasizes the importance of parental monitoring, autonomy-supportive parenting, and fostering a sense of purpose in teenagers' lives. Research suggests that when adolescents perceive a stable relationship with their parents, their well-being suffers, while having a sense of purpose is linked to lower su...
A new study found that female post-9/11 veterans experienced a more significant decline in overall well-being compared to their male counterparts after the COVID-19 pandemic. They reported lower work satisfaction, higher underemployment, and less emotional support, with the sharpest difference appearing in work strain.
A study of expectant parents in three countries found that long working hours and traditional motherhood cultures hinder gender-equal parenting. Expectant couples identified the need for positive, culturally appropriate coparenting programs to build team spirit and support each other.
A global review of 20 studies covering over 220,000 infants and caregivers found nearly five per cent of infants experience physical aggression from caregivers in their first two years of life. Simple education, support lines, and clear policies against hitting children can help address the issue.
A study found that consistent routines in the home can reduce the likelihood of children struggling with school transitions, but harsh parenting can undermine these benefits. Parents who demonstrated flexibility in their parenting style were less likely to parent harshly.
A new longitudinal study found that children's behavior problems are significantly linked to parental burnout, regardless of partner deployment status. Protecting children's resilience requires bolstering caregivers' emotional resources and external support to avoid burnout's negative impact on family well-being.
Researchers found that youths born in the 1990s spent more time playing formal sports compared to their peers, with those from higher social class backgrounds dominating these opportunities. This shift away from informal play raises concerns about the costs and benefits of commercialized youth sports.
A cohort study found that adolescent cannabis use is associated with an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders, particularly psychotic and bipolar conditions. The study's results inform the development of interventions and policies to prevent or delay adolescent cannabis use.
A nationally representative study found that 1 in 5 US households have a parent-perceived mental health treatment need for their children. The study also revealed significant difficulties in accessing care, with 21.8% citing it as the reason for unmet needs.
The study found increased requests for medication abortion among adolescents in states with gestational bans and parental consent requirements. Young adults also sought more medication abortion services post-Dobbs, with the highest demand in states with restrictive abortion laws.
Experts like Amber Chandler suggest solutions such as no-tech public spaces, phone-free bedtimes, and hands-on problem-solving to help teenagers cope with unprecedented anxiety. Chandler's book offers evidence-based strategies to nurture belonging in a 'scared new world'.