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Parenting style influences bullying: a longitudinal study comparing children with and without behavioral problems
Khushmand Rajendran1, Edyta Kruszewski1, Jeffrey M Halperin1
1Department of Psychology, Queens College, Flushing, NY, USA.
Summary
Parenting support for child autonomy in early childhood can reduce bullying trajectories in children, including those with ADHD and ODD. This finding highlights the importance of autonomy-supportive parenting for preventing persistent bullying behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Optimal parenting is associated with reduced bullying rates.
- The impact of parenting on bullying trajectories in children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between parenting at age 4-5 years and changes in bullying over the subsequent 4 years.
- To compare these associations among children with and without ADHD/ODD.
Main Methods:
- Prospective longitudinal study of 162 children from preschool to 9 years of age.
- Parenting assessed via laboratory observations; bullying rated by teachers; diagnostic status reported by parents.
Main Results:
- Children with comorbid ADHD and ODD exhibited higher initial bullying rates.
- Bullying decreased over the 5-year study period.
- Greater parent support for child autonomy at age 4-5 predicted a steeper decline in bullying, irrespective of diagnostic status.
Conclusions:
- Parental support for child autonomy in early childhood is a significant factor in reducing bullying.
- Early school-based interventions promoting autonomy support may mitigate bullying during formative years.
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