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. 2023 Feb;54(1):51-65.
doi: 10.1007/s10578-021-01224-4. Epub 2021 Aug 4.

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

Jacqueline R O'Brien  1 , Elizabeth C Loi  2 , Michelle L Byrne  2   3 , Maureen Zalewski  2 , Melynda D Casement  2
Affiliations

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

Jacqueline R O'Brien et al. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Children's inflammation may be an important link between parenting behaviors and health outcomes. The aims of this systematic review were to: (1) describe associations between parenting behaviors and child inflammatory markers, and (2) evaluate the relevance of existing literature to the review question. Database searches identified 19 studies that included a measure of positive or negative parenting behaviors and a marker of child inflammation, 53% of which measured parental responsiveness/warmth. Greater parental responsiveness/warmth was associated with lower levels of child pro-inflammatory markers in 60% of studies. Across studies, the association between parenting and child inflammation varied as a function of parenting construct, inflammatory measure, and sample characteristics. Studies were highly relevant, with 42% rated 5 + out of 6 for study's ability to address links between parenting behavior and child inflammation. If future research uncovers causal effects of parenting behaviors on inflammation, parenting interventions could be employed as a preventative tool.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Cytokines; Immune system; Inflammation; Parenting.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Consort flow diagram for systematic review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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