A study published in 'Psychological Medicine' suggests that harsh parenting during early childhood may impact brain connections linked to the amygdala in girls. These alterations could lead to behavioral issues, including aggression and rule-breaking, later in life.
The study emphasizes the importance of positive parenting and the need for support systems to foster healthy child development.
Harsh parenting affects brain development in girls
Researchers followed brain development across multiple time points in childhood. The study found that boys and girls may respond differently to stress, with harsh parenting affecting brain development and behaviour in girls.
Early childhood experiences can have lasting impacts on brain development and behaviour. However, harsh parenting affects brain development and behaviour in girls but not boys, as per the study.
Girls who experienced harsh parenting showed differences in brain connections involving the amygdala, an area crucial for emotions. The amygdala is a key area of the brain involved in processing emotions, particularly in response to threats or stressful situations.
More about the study and its findings
These brain differences may explain the connection between early parenting and later behavioural challenges. Although earlier research suggested a link between negative early experiences and later difficulties like aggression and rule-breaking, many studies only provided a limited view, either examining the brain at a single point or focusing on older age groups.
Recognising that boys and girls may respond differently to stress, the researchers of the latest study specifically investigated potential differences in how harsh parenting might affect brain development and behaviour in each sex. They focused on two aspects of amygdala development: its size and its functional connectivity, meaning how well it communicates with other brain regions.
The study’s findings revealed that harsh parenting in early childhood was associated with externalising problems, such as aggression and rule-breaking, at age 10 and a half.
However, harsh parenting was not found to be associated with internalising problems, such as anxiety or depression, at the same age.
By promoting a supportive and nurturing environment, parents can help their daughters develop healthy emotional regulation and behavioural habits.
Source: Hindustan Times
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
