Study finds positive parenting teaches children how to experience joy—and could lead to better mental health

A recent study conducted by psychologists at the University of Notre Dame has revealed that positive parenting styles during a child's preschool years can influence their ability to experience joy and happiness throughout adolescence, potentially leading to better mental health outcomes. According to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, over one in five adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness each year, with more than one in seven young people aged 6-17 having a mental health disorder. Research suggests that 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.

Notre Dame psychologist Kaylin Hill, who has spent 15 years studying emotions and depression, found that parents' child-rearing methods during early childhood coincide with how their child experiences joy and satisfaction in adolescence. Hill's research, published in Communications Psychology, measured the link between early parenting and neural reward responsiveness—the brain's response to rewards and positive stimuli.

In the longitudinal study, Hill observed interactions between 3-year-old children and their parents and compared these observations with the children's brain responses at ages 9, 12, 15, and 18. The study involved 465 participants and was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. The researchers used an electroencephalogram (EEG) to track brain activity in response to monetary rewards during a guessing game, allowing them to assess reward processing from ages 9 to 18.

The findings showed that children who experienced more positive parenting, characterized by warmth, support, and encouragement, exhibited a larger brain reward response when winning money compared to those raised with negative parenting styles. In other words, children who received more praise and affirmation from their parents were better at recognizing and experiencing joy and satisfaction.

Hill emphasized that positive parenting during early childhood may teach children's brains how to respond to positive experiences, which is crucial for promoting physical and mental health. The study suggests that early-life experiences, particularly positive parenting, play a significant role in reducing the risk of developing mental health disorders later in life. Hill's research highlights the importance of supporting parents and children early on to foster healthy emotional development and mental well-being.