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. 2012 Oct;201(4):291-7.
doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.111.107581. Epub 2012 Aug 23.

Association between maladaptive parenting and child self-control over time: cross-lagged study using a monozygotic twin difference design

Charlotte A M Cecil  1 , Edward D Barker, Sara R Jaffee, Essi Viding
Affiliations

Association between maladaptive parenting and child self-control over time: cross-lagged study using a monozygotic twin difference design

Charlotte A M Cecil et al. Br J Psychiatry. 2012 Oct.

Erratum in

  • Br J Psychiatry. 2012 Nov;201(5):412

Abstract

Background: Harsh parenting practices and negative parental feelings may be environmental risk factors for low self-control in children. Children may also evoke certain parenting reactions.

Aims: To investigate the longitudinal relationship between parenting and self-control, as well as associated outcomes within the monozygotic (MZ) twin differences framework.

Method: Longitudinal MZ twin differences analysis was conducted on a community sample of 5184 twins using data from ages 3, 4, 7 and 9 years. Outcomes related to self-control and parenting were analysed at age 12 years.

Results: Non-shared environmental effects of parenting on the development of self-control and an evocative effect of child self-control on parenting were found. Harsh parenting predicted conduct problems for both boys and girls. Self-control at age 9 predicted conduct problems and emotional difficulties at age 12.

Conclusions: Parenting and child self-control affect one another, highlighting the potential of early interventions that target parents and children simultaneously.

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