Harsh Discipline Mediates Parenting Stress and Child Internalizing Problems

Overview

This study demonstrates that harsh discipline mediates the relationship between parenting stress and internalizing problems in children and adolescents. Emotion regulation strategies such as acceptance and cognitive reappraisal mitigate this effect, while distraction and rumination exacerbate it. An online intervention improved parental emotion regulation, reduced parenting stress, and alleviated child internalizing symptoms.

Background

Internalizing problems in children and adolescents, including anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, affect approximately 13.4% worldwide and can lead to long-term adverse outcomes. Parenting stress is a key risk factor that increases the likelihood of harsh disciplinary practices, which in turn contribute to internalizing problems. Harsh discipline encompasses psychological aggression and corporal punishment, both linked to negative child mental health outcomes. Emotion regulation in parents may moderate the impact of parenting stress on harsh discipline and child internalizing symptoms.

Data Highlights

Study 1: Cross-sectional survey with 971 participants showed harsh discipline mediates parenting stress and child internalizing problems.
Study 2: Three-week online parental intervention (N=123) enhanced emotion regulation (increased acceptance), reduced parenting stress, decreased harsh discipline, and alleviated child internalizing problems.

Key Findings

• Harsh discipline significantly mediates the association between parenting stress and internalizing problems in children and adolescents.
• Parental emotion regulation strategies such as acceptance and cognitive reappraisal reduce the impact of parenting stress on harsh discipline.
• Distraction and rumination as emotion regulation strategies increase the likelihood of harsh discipline under parenting stress.
• Expressive suppression did not significantly moderate the relationship between parenting stress and harsh discipline.
• Online parental intervention improved emotion regulation, reduced parenting stress, and alleviated internalizing problems in offspring.
• Preliminary evidence suggests the intervention also reduced harsh disciplinary behaviors.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider assessing parenting stress and harsh disciplinary practices when addressing internalizing problems in children and adolescents. Interventions that enhance parental emotion regulation, particularly acceptance and cognitive reappraisal, may reduce harsh discipline and improve child mental health outcomes. Online parental training programs represent a feasible approach to support these changes.

Conclusion

Harsh discipline is a key mechanism linking parenting stress to internalizing problems in youth, with parental emotion regulation serving as an important moderator. Targeted interventions focusing on emotion regulation can mitigate parenting stress effects and promote better child psychological outcomes.

References

1. Author/Source/Year -- The Role of Harsh Discipline in Linking Parenting Stress to Internalizing Issues in Children and Adolescents