If parents who are military veterans can’t interpret their children’s thoughts and emotions, they are more likely to spank, slap or shove their kids, according to a new University of Michigan study.
Prior research has shown that post-traumatic stress symptoms have been closely linked with the use of harsh parenting practices in families with veterans.
“Understanding a child’s emotions and behavior is essential for effective parenting. This study reveals the challenges parents face in deciphering emotional cues, particularly when shaped by factors like racial background and the effects of traumatic stress,” said Olivia Chang, a doctoral student at the School of Social Work and the study’s lead author.
The U-M study found that racial background alone did not directly influence the use of physical discipline. However, in multiracial families, an overconfidence in understanding a child’s mental state might lead parents to use this punitive approach more frequently.
Read the full article on The University Record.
