Parenting

Frequent marital disputes can negatively impact children's emotional and social development. But fathers who constructively resolve marital conflicts promote better socioemotional skills in their children, new research suggests.

Watching mother-infant interactions triggers similar brain activity across different mothers, according to new research, highlighting the importance of primary attachments in brain function. Despite oxytocin administration, the naturalistic bonding cues alone were sufficient to induce this neural synchrony.

A new psychology paper explores the widespread practice of parents lying to influence or manipulate their children, a phenomenon prevalent across various cultures. It suggests further investigation into the effects of such parenting, including potential positive outcomes and broader social...

A study in New Zealand found that attitudes towards elective and traumatic abortion became more positive over time, but the rate of increase slowed for elective abortions after participants became parents. The study highlights the influence of parenthood on abortion...

A new study in Child Abuse & Neglect provides evidence that spanking negatively impacts children's executive functions, particularly inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Despite controlling for biases, the study found consistent adverse effects across different demographics, underscoring the far-reaching impact...

Recent research reveals that sexual satisfaction in new parents generally increases post-childbirth but slows around eight months, with attachment anxiety and avoidance playing key roles in these satisfaction trajectories.

Drawing is more than just a fun activity for children; it plays a crucial role in their development by enhancing communication, memory, and learning. Parents can support this growth by providing materials, encouragement, and participating in drawing activities, which not...

Parents' math anxiety and attitudes significantly affect their children's early math skills, as shown by a comprehensive study in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. Maternal math anxiety particularly impacts girls' math attainment in early primary school, revealing a unique...

A new study reveals that parental acceptance of children's gender atypicality is linked to lower social anxiety in younger children, with a more pronounced effect for girls and in early childhood stages.

New research finds neighborhood disorder during pregnancy increases testosterone levels, possibly impacting prenatal development and long-term health.

New research highlights the significance of parental involvement in fostering prosocial behavior and self-control among adolescents, underscoring its importance as a developmental resource.

A recent study published in Social Psychological and Personality Science has shed new light on the relationship between sexist attitudes and parenting behavior. The findings indicate that mothers and fathers who endorse sexist beliefs tend to display reduced responsiveness to...

Rough-and-tumble play, involving playful wrestling and chasing, is beneficial for children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development. It helps build balance, coordination, social skills, emotional resilience, and working memory, and should be encouraged with safety and clear boundaries in mind.

A study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that mothers have faster and stronger neural responses when winning rewards for their children compared to themselves or charity. This suggests a prioritization of children's rewards in maternal reward processing...

A recent study explores the relationship between parental narcissism and child psychological functioning, revealing how different narcissistic traits in parents can impact child well-being through specific parenting practices.