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The Link Between Positive and Negative Parenting Behaviors and Child Inflammation: A Systematic Review

Jacqueline R O'Brien1, Elizabeth C Loi2, Michelle L Byrne2,3

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, 1451 Onyx Street, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA. jackieo@uoregon.edu.

Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|August 4, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Parenting behaviors, particularly warmth and responsiveness, are linked to children's inflammation levels. Positive parenting may reduce pro-inflammatory markers, suggesting potential for parenting interventions in preventative health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Childhood inflammation is increasingly recognized as a mediator between early life experiences and long-term health.
  • Parenting behaviors are a significant early life experience with potential implications for child health outcomes.

Approach:

  • A systematic review was conducted to synthesize existing research on the association between parenting behaviors and child inflammatory markers.
  • Database searches identified 19 relevant studies examining various parenting constructs and inflammatory measures in children.

Key Points:

  • Greater parental responsiveness and warmth were associated with lower levels of pro-inflammatory markers in 60% of the reviewed studies.
  • Associations varied based on specific parenting constructs, inflammatory markers measured, and sample characteristics.
  • The reviewed literature demonstrated high relevance to the research question, with 42% of studies rated highly for their ability to address the link between parenting and inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • Parenting behaviors, especially positive ones like warmth, show a notable association with child inflammatory markers.
  • Further research is warranted to establish causality, which could pave the way for parenting interventions as a preventative health strategy for children.

Keywords:
BiomarkersCytokinesImmune systemInflammationParenting

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