Parenting and health

Question 1

Why is parenting important in infant brain development

Answer 1

The emotional and social brain is developed in response to relationships and the emotional environment

The parent-child relationship and parenting are critical because children spend most time with their parents

Sensitive care giving allows children to express their distress without producing an endocrine stress response. This influences a range of physiological processes and increasing the risk of disease

Early relationships set the scene for future relationships including parents’ relationships with their own children. Future relationships impact on physical and emotional health

Question 2

How is parenting affected by social inequalities?

Answer 2

Parenting is socially patterned - varies between socioeconomic groups

Parenting has an impact on social inequalities in child health. More likely to have poorer health is parenting is poor.

Parental mental and physical health is a key influence in parenting

Improving financial circumstances does not change parenting

Question 3

Interventions for improving parenting

Answer 3

Improve parent-child relationship
Increase self awareness and emotional literacy
Increase skills in behaviour management

Question 4

Families likely to require parenting interventions

Answer 4

Parents with mental illness
Parents who abuse drugs/alcohol
Previous looked after children (did not get good parenting)
Teenage parents
Single parents