6: Parenting and Child's Health Development Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is the primary goal for most parents regarding their children?
Promoting child’s healthy development
Parents are seen as primary psychosocial agents in the health of children
How do health-related socialization processes change as a child grows?
They reflect appropriate strategies for the child’s development
Negotiation / distraction / removal of privileges / rules – different strategies used to encourage a child to be healthy
What are direct strategies in parenting related to health?
Instruction, rules, monitoring
These strategies provide clear guidelines for children
What are indirect strategies in parenting related to health?
Modelling, environment shaping
These strategies influence children through observation and their surroundings
Tinsley (2003)
- Parents act as primary agents of health socialisation for children
- Health-related socialisation processes change with the child’s age – reflect appropriate strategies for the development
Bi-directionality – children influence how parenting strategies are adjusted and enacted over time.
What is the WHO (1978) definition of children’s health?
A state of complete physical, mental & social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
This definition highlights the holistic view of health
What factors are related to health-related parenting?
- Health knowledge and beliefs - parents own knowledge and beliefs about heath
- ** Self-efficacy** - more competent = more health-related behaviours
- Social learning (modeeling
- Child’s development of autonomy - when to reduce parental control
These factors influence how parents approach health with their children
What are the demographic factors related to Child Health outcomes?
- Income
- Maternal education
- Family structure
- Ethnicity
How does maternal education influence child health outcomes?
Higher maternal education is linked with greater health knowledge and preventative health beahviours (e.g. vaccinations, medical check-ups)
* However relationship was not uniform
Cheng et al. (1996)
What demographic factor increases the risk of negative health outcomes for children?
Lower income - greater risk of negative health outcomes
(Starfield, 1992)
Barriers include childcare, time off work, and limited access to health resources
How does ethnicity influence health outcomes?
Ethnic minority children at risk for negative health outcomes
* e.g. Obesity (Alexander et al., 2000)
But, not all studies find differences ( Cullen et al., 2002) - More research needed…
What is an obesogenic environment?
An environment that promotes increased access to high-calorie food and a sedentary lifestyle
This environment contributes to childhood obesity
Childhood obesity levels (PHE, 2018)
20% of UK 4-5yr olds
33% of UK 10-11-yr-olds
1 in 5 reception children and increases to 1 in 3 children in year 6
What parenting style is linked to lower BMI in children?
Authoritative parenting
This style encourages healthy behaviors and consistent boundaries
What are the effects of permissive parenting on children’s dietary habits?
Linked to poorer dietary outcomes and lower fruit and vegetable consumption
Lack of structure can lead to unhealthy eating patterns
Sleddens et al. (2011)
Examined parenting style and child weight
* Authoritative parenting = lower BMI
* Permissive parenting traits linked to higher obesity
* Greater parenting control (authoritarian) linked to higher child BMI
Review of 29 studies
Sokol et al. (2017)
Authoritative parenting associated with lower BMI gains in 5 out of 8 studies
However:
* Only one study controlled for confounders – SES, ethnicity
* Relationship between parenting style and BMI likely influenced by various mechanisms – e.g. healthy eating, physical activity and screen time
11 prospective cohort studies (longitudinal ) – high variability in studies of sample size, baseline age
What proportion of UK children aged eat the recommended five portions of F&V daily?
20%
What factors are linked to low F&V intake in children?
Low early exposure, poor parental modelling, limited home availability, low SES, and feeding practices (Blissett, 2011).
How does authoritative feeding style influence children’s diet?
Encourages healthier eating, provides options, and uses repeated exposure—positively linked to higher F&V intake.
What is the effect of permissive parenting on F&V intake?
Linked to lower F&V consumption and poor dietary outcomes (Blissett, 2011).
Children and adolescence need more structure and guidance over food choices
What is the relationship between physical activity and parenting?
Pugliese and Tinsley (2007)
- Parental Encouragement
- Modelling (observational learning; e.g., Bandura, 1986)
- Instrumental behaviours – providing access to kit and equipment e.g. transport to gym or pool, garden, ball
- Other factors (e.g., parents’ work habits, general support)
All related to increased PA
relationships between parental socialisation behaviour with child and adolescent physical activity (PA)
Parenting and Physical activity (Jago et al., 2011)
Permissive parenting linked to greater PA in boys and girls
* Permissive = more supportive of PA – lower boundaries, more freedom to explore and play
Logistic support and parental modelling also associated with increased PA
Logistic support – taking children to and enrolling them in activities
How does screen time relate to parenting styles?
(Jago et al., 2011)
Permissive parenting is linked to increased screen time (>4 hours a day)
- High perceived parental restriction on sedentary behaviours watched <2 hours TV daily
- Low perceived restriction from both parents linked to high screen time
(More control = better for healthy use of screens)
Different parenting styles impact children’s media consumption differently
