In a study of 7,507 children aged 3, 5 and 7, and published this March 31 in the journal Psychiatric Sciences (Source 1), researchers highlight the deleterious effects of a severe, strict or even violent upbringing on the Mental Health children.
More precisely, a team of two Irish and British researchers reports having observed that children exposed to strong discipline, to a severe education, at the age of 3 years were 1.5 times more likely than others to suffer from symptoms of mental disorders classified as “high risk” at the age of 9.
By “strong discipline” and severe education, the researchers mean here the presence of physical or psychological violence, involving yell at the childto practice corporal punishment routinelyd’isolate the child when he does not obeydamage their self-esteem, or punish him unpredictably depending on parental mood.
The researchers here used a standard assessment tool for children’s mental health, called the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Each child then received a score out of 10 to report their symptoms of externalizing (impulsivity, aggressiveness) and internalizing (anxiety, social withdrawal) from mental problems, at the age of three, five and nine. About 10% of the children in the study belonged to a high risk level of poor mental health, and children who had experienced hostile parenting were much more likely than others to belong to this group.
Avoiding a hostile emotional climate at home
« The fact that one in 10 children fall into the high-risk category for mental health problems is concerning, and we need to be aware of the role parents can play in this. said Ioannis Katsantonis, co-author of the study, in a statement (Source2). “ We are not suggesting for a moment that parents should not set firm limits on the behavior of their children, but it is difficult to justify severe and frequent discipline, given the implications for mental health “, he wanted to add.
In view of these results, and although there are multiple risk factors for poor mental health (sex, physical health, socioeconomic status, etc.), the two scientists believe that it is crucial to do everything to “ ensure that parents are supported to give their children a warm and positiveparticularly if broader circumstances put these children at risk of poor mental health outcomes”. « Avoiding a hostile emotional climate at home will not necessarily prevent the onset of mental health problems, but it will likely help. to reduce the risk, added Jennifer E. Symonds, co-author of the study.
The two researchers suggest, for example, at this that each new parent be given resources (documents, flyers or other) on the best way to manage the behavior of the child in different situations. And this in order to prevent the verbal or physical violence of parents who are often destitute, exhausted or powerless.