A new study from UNC's Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute found that African American boys' academic and social performance in kindergarten is influenced by their parents' engagement in literacy activities and teaching. Effective parenting practices can help African American boys achieve academic success and positive socia...
Researchers evaluated 20 parenting programs and identified five that significantly reduce adolescent behavior problems, including substance use, aggression, depression, anxiety, and violence. These programs focus on fostering opportunities, skills, rewards for positive social behaviors, bonding, and clear expectations for behavior.
A long-running study of nearly 1300 rural children found that parenting deteriorates when families face multiple risk factors, leading to poor intellectual, emotional, and social development. The study's findings highlight the importance of supporting parenting and social context in bolstering child development.
A study published in Pediatrics found that cell phone coaching improved parenting skills and reduced depression and stress in mothers. The intervention, which included daily texts and calls from coaches, helped mothers learn positive parenting strategies and their children adapted better to new situations.
A study of 182 dual-earner couples found that mothers spent nearly 70% of their time on child care when their children were 9 months old. Despite having similar work constraints, the researchers discovered that mothers still invest significantly more time into parenting.
Researchers identify symptoms of depression causing parenting difficulties, including emotional unavailability and problems with memory. The findings suggest that depressed parents may struggle to respond to their child's needs due to brain changes affecting goal-setting and interaction.
Research finds abusive mothers experience stress and physiological responses when attempting warm parenting, leading to increased hostility. The study suggests a biological basis for aversive parenting patterns, making it harder for interventions to succeed.
A systematic review by CWRU researchers found that parents of chronically ill children experience significant stress due to the added demands of caregiving, including managing medical treatments and school issues. The study suggests that parenting stress can be intervened upon with targeted support and coping strategies.
A new study by Emory University researchers found that men with smaller testes tend to be more involved in hands-on childcare, while those with larger testes are less involved. The study suggests that the biology of human males reflects a trade-off between investments in mating and parenting effort.
A new review of dozens of studies involving twins found that genetics significantly affect parenting behavior. Children's genetically-influenced characteristics influence how they are parented, with 23% of differences in parenting attributed to a child's genotype.
A study from the Université de Montréal found that the program improves parenting style and boosts children's psychological adjustment, leading to higher well-being levels. The three key dimensions of optimal parenting—structure, warmth, and autonomy support—showed significant increases.
Researchers found that economic conditions worsen only for mothers carrying the T allele, leading to increased harsh parenting. The study suggests that anticipation of adversity, rather than actual economic hardship, drives this response.
A new study by University of Warwick found that highly sensitive parenting at age 6 can increase academic achievement in very preterm and low birthweight children to levels similar to full-term children. Cognitively stimulating parenting also benefits all children's long-term school success, regardless of birth status.
Research from the University of Warwick found that most very preterm and low birthweight infants were securely attached to their parents. However, they had a higher risk for disorganised attachment due to underlying neurological abnormalities. This contradicts the assumption that disorganised attachment is solely linked to parental sen...
A two-year feasibility study trains Swedish social workers in the Project Support program, shown to reduce child abuse and neglect. The program provides intensive, one-on-one parenting help and emotional support for families with violent pasts.
A new study suggests that fathers should ask their children for feedback on their parenting to improve the relationship. Researchers found that girls tend to believe in a father's enduring aspects, while boys think dads do good depending on the situation. Fatherhood expert Jeff Cookston offers five tips to improve dad-child relationships.
Adult human brain cell production is triggered by early life experiences, with female pups raised by two parents showing enhanced white matter production and improved motor coordination. Male pups raised by dual parents displayed increased grey matter production, improving learning and memory.
A meta-analysis of 70 studies found that negative parenting, including abuse and neglect, increases the risk of childhood bullying. Positive parenting behaviors, such as warmth and communication, reduce the risk. Overprotection may make children more vulnerable to bullying by preventing them from learning conflict resolution skills.
Research by Zhiyong Yang at UT Arlington finds that early, substantive dialogue with parents about tobacco and alcohol use is more effective in shaping teen behavior than advertising or peer pressure. The study also highlights the importance of positive parenting strategies over negative reinforcement techniques.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that graduate students rated publications with male authors as higher quality than those with female authors. The study also showed that certain research topics were seen as more appropriate for women or men, and that gender bias can impact career opportunities.
The article highlights how cultural norms influence parenting behaviors, with Western cultures emphasizing autonomy and many Asian, African, and Latino cultures valuing interdependence. Pediatricians can benefit from understanding these differences to provide culturally sensitive guidance and support.
A new study shows that college students with overcontrolling parents experience negative well-being outcomes, including depression and decreased life satisfaction. The study suggests that helicopter parenting behaviors can undermine children's autonomy, competence, and social relationships.
A new study found that differential parenting behavior in one child can lead to increased mental health problems in all family members. Mothers with high cumulative risk factors exhibited more extreme variations in affection and discipline across their children.
Research from the University of Missouri found online discussion boards provide safe environments for mothers to anonymously express child-rearing concerns. Common topics include feeding, sleep, development, discipline, and mother-child relationships.
A new study suggests that the same caregiving skills used in romantic relationships can also lead to better parenting. Researchers found a common skill set underpins caregiving across different types of relationships for both mothers and fathers.
Research suggests that authoritarian parenting practices and fearful temperaments in childhood are associated with conservative attitudes, while egalitarian parenting and higher levels of activity or restlessness are linked to liberal values. The study provides new insights into the developmental antecedents of political ideology.
A recent analysis suggests that physical punishment of children can lead to increased childhood aggression and mental health issues in adulthood. The Canadian Medical Association Journal argues that emphasizing education on alternative forms of discipline is a more promising approach.
A new paper calls for a trauma-informed approach in shelters to address the unique challenges faced by homeless families with children who have mental-health problems. The authors recommend changes in shelter practices and future research on parenting in homeless families.
Research finds that while fathers may be more involved with their children through sports, they still tend to do the lion's share of household tasks and childcare responsibilities. The study, conducted by UCLA sociologists, suggests that traditional gender roles persist in middle-class families.
A recent study found that women who believe in intensive parenting are more likely to experience stress, depression, and lower life satisfaction. Mothers who endorsed these attitudes had moderate levels of stress and depression, with approximately 23% showing symptoms of depression.
Researchers found that children of neglectful parents spent an additional 30 minutes per week on screens, leading to increased sedentary behavior. Parents who actively played with their kids had the most impact in promoting active play.
Research explores how parents pass on values, perceived sexism affects women's attitudes toward racial minorities, and the role of will in past and future success. Additionally, studies investigate the impact of death reminders on supernatural beliefs and brand identification.
Research from Brigham Young University found that dads play a crucial role in teaching their children persistence, which leads to better outcomes in school and lower rates of delinquency. The study examined 325 families over several years and showed that dads who practice authoritative parenting are more likely to instill this trait in...
A new study by Miriam Liss and Mindy Erchull found that feminist mothers support time-intensive, hands-on parenting practices associated with attachment parenting. The researchers surveyed 431 American women and found that feminists were more likely to endorse attachment parenting than non-feminists.
Researchers discovered that individuals with unacknowledged attraction to the same sex and authoritarian parents are more likely to exhibit homophobic attitudes. The study suggests that homophobia can be a manifestation of internal conflict and repression, particularly in those who deny their own sexual orientation.
Research at the University of Oregon reveals that partner aggression around a child's birth impacts parenting three years later. The level of psychological and physical abuse between parents predicts harsh parenting, which in turn leads to higher behavior problems in children.
Research suggests that violent relationships during pregnancy can lead to poor co-parenting skills, with mothers being more likely to exhibit violence than fathers. Common couple violence, characterized by actions like shoving and hitting, can be detrimental to the development of a positive co-parenting relationship.
A new parent-training program has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of low-income, preschool-age Latino children being overweight. The study found a 9% reduction in overweight and obese children after one year, compared to a 16% increase in the control group.
Biologists Fran Bonier and Ignacio Moore investigate how stressed bird parents care for their young and respond to environmental challenges. The study aims to determine whether glucocorticoid levels affect bird parenting behaviors, with potential implications for understanding the effects of stress on organisms and evolution.
A Michigan State University scholar refutes the 'tiger mother' philosophy, arguing that a child's happiness is vitally important for their development. Qin found that high-achieving Chinese students are more depressed and anxious than their white counterparts.
A study found that new mothers and fathers who believe society expects them to be 'perfect' parents show poorer adjustment. However, self-imposed pressure can have benefits for fathers, particularly in terms of parenting satisfaction and stress levels.
A longitudinal study found that negative parenting in infancy is linked to increased aggression in toddlers, which can create a cycle of conflict between mothers and children. The researchers also discovered that this cycle can lead to conduct problems in school-age children.
A study from the University of Rochester found that chronic stress disrupts a mother's natural stress response, leading to problematic parenting behaviors. Mothers with higher depressive symptoms exhibited hyperactive stress responses, resulting in harsh and reactive parenting.
A study by University of Washington psychologists found that the right match between parenting styles and child's personality leads to fewer depression and anxiety symptoms. Children with good self-control benefit from more autonomy, while those with trouble regulating emotions need more parental guidance.
A study from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that two-parent families, regardless of gender or marital status, are crucial to children's social and academic success. The researchers found that couples who participated in a 16-week program reported higher satisfaction in their marriages and kids were doing better in school.
A new study suggests that parental monitoring of an opposite-gender child may decrease problem drinking in young adults. The level of monitoring is linked to parenting style, with authoritative parents doing a better job of monitoring their children. This indirect buffering effect can reduce impulsiveness and alcohol-related problems.
A study by Richard Eibach and Steven Mock found that parents who focus on the financial costs of parenthood tend to idealize parenting more, while those considering both costs and benefits report lower enjoyment in other activities. The researchers suggest this myth is a modern psychological phenomenon linked to changing societal values.
Researchers at NYU Child Study Center developed ParentCorps, a 13-session family series to improve parenting practices and reduce child behavior problems. The program helped parents select evidence-based strategies, leading to better classroom behavior and social-emotional competencies in children.
A recent Penn State study found that expectant parents who completed a brief relationship-strengthening class showed lasting effects on their well-being and relationships. The program improved parenting styles, reduced conflict, and enhanced co-parenting relations.
Research suggests that parental guidance plays a crucial role in shaping a child's strengths and development, rather than just inherited genes. Effective parents cultivate their child's individual characteristics and help them progress along positive developmental trajectories.
A study published in BioPsychoSocial Medicine found that stressed-out mothers can exacerbate their children's asthma symptoms. Researchers discovered that mothers who suppress their emotional expressions or are chronically irritated and angry can increase their child's disease status. The study suggests that parents should focus on man...
Researchers found that oxytocin levels in fathers were not different from those in mothers, suggesting that other aspects of parenthood stimulate oxytocin release in fathers. Oxytocin was also linked to parent-specific styles of interaction, with mothers showing more affectionate parenting and fathers exhibiting more stimulatory contact.
Researchers at Arizona State University update Maslow's pyramid to reflect new findings on evolutionarily fundamental motives. The revamped pyramid places parenting atop the hierarchy, alongside mate acquisition and mate retention, shifting away from self-actualization as a top need.
A new study found that intensive home visits from therapists teaching parenting skills and emotional support significantly improved mothers' behavior and reduced child maltreatment. The intervention was more effective than conventional services, resulting in fewer recurrences of abuse.
A study found that consumers are overconfident in their learning abilities for new tasks and tend to underestimate the time required to master them. This leads to a higher willingness to pay for products before trying them, as they anticipate needing more time to learn.
Research suggests that an authoritative parenting style is associated with a higher frequency of family meals, leading to better nutrition and eating behavior among adolescents. This style of parenting, characterized by responsiveness and clear boundaries, was found to have a positive influence on teenagers' dietary habits.
Latino children display strong parenting practices and social agility, but early gains are eroded by poor schools and peer pressure. Research shows that tight family bonds and tough parenting contribute to their initial success in the classroom.
A study of nearly 3,600 New England middle school students found that those whose parents restricted access to R-rated movies were substantially less likely to start drinking. The researchers suggest that parental attention to children's media exposure is crucial and recommend limiting exposure to adult content.
A new study published in The Leadership Quarterly found that children raised with an 'authoritative' parenting style are more likely to assume leadership roles at work and in their communities. This approach allows children to learn from their parents while still testing boundaries, preparing them for future success.
A new study from the University of Toronto and UC San Diego found that many parents use deception to shape their children's behavior and emotions. The researchers surveyed U.S. participants in two studies about parental lying, revealing that even parents who emphasize honesty with their children often engage in 'parenting by lying.'