Children who receive positive attention from their parents have higher incomes, higher happiness levels, more academic success, and a stronger sense of morality, according to the latest research from Japan.
A group of researchers from the Kobe University Center for Social Systems Innovation and the Doshisha University Faculty of Economics surveyed 5000 men and women, gauging their reactions to questions and statements about their relationships with their parents during childhood.
Participants were asked to agree or disagree with statements such as “My parents trusted me”, and “I felt like my family had no interest in me”. Using this data, the researchers identified four factors as being key to the parent/child relationship: (dis)interest, trust, rules, and independence, as well as “time spent together”, and “experiences of being scolded”.
Based on their results, the research group divided parenting methods into the following six categories:
Supportive: High or average levels of independence, high levels of trust, high levels of interest shown in child, large amount of time spent together
Strict: Low levels of independence, medium-to-high levels of trust, strict or fairly strict, medium-to-high levels of interest shown in child, large amount of rules.
Indulgent: High or average levels of trust, not strict at all, time spent together is average or longer than average.
Easygoing: Low levels of interest shown in child, not strict at all, small amount of time spent together, few rules.
Harsh: Low levels of interest shown in child, low levels of independence, low levels of trust, strict.
Average: Average levels for all key factors
The results showed that people whose parents paid them a lot of positive attention reported high salaries, academic success, and high levels of happiness in adult life.
On the other hand, participants subjected to a “strict” upbringing where parents paid them high levels of attention combined with strict discipline reported high salaries and academic achievement, but lower happiness levels and increased stress.
Which of the six parenting style groups would you fit into? Let us know on Twitter HerFamilydotie.
