By Joshua Hopwood-
Mothers who shout regularly at their children can affect their emotional well being, even where the child is deemed to be at fault and warranting the shouting, according to research.
Research conducted on 3,000 pupils from three different primary schools in the Uk, aimed at establishing the reading habits of various pupils and the influence of their parents, revealed a pattern among children suffering with anxiety and depression and being regularly shouted at by their parents.
Just over 35% of pupils surveyed expressed anxiety and depression, but 70% of that bracket revealed they re regularly shouted on by their mother at home.
Most of the shouting occurred when the child was not compliant with instructions, but most children said they felt their mother’s were not always considerate of their emotional needs.
Interestingly, 77% of those mothers were split from the father of the child, and just 20% of them had a male figure in their life.
The research conducted between November 2022 and April 2023 is to continue in September.
Parents and teachers from the respective school’s co-operated in the research, which was also bolstered by other research conducted by researchers over the years in the Uk and abroad. The findings are useful in helping understand the fctors that influence a child’s development,
Critics have been keen to point out the right and necessity of a parent to sometimes shout at a difficult child to get their point across, but most analysts agree that there are more efficient ways of communicating with a none compliant child than shouting.
Low self esteem and anxiety are among the effects shouting can have on children, although other factors can counterbalance this for some children.
Children who are taken on regular trips abroad , the movies, or exposed to other forms of fulfilling experiences may not suffer the same effects of shouting as those who are not. The relative effect of the yelling is also further diminished if the child is not subjected to any bullying in school and enjoys the close friendship of a number of their classmates.
The reverse holds true if they are being subjected to bullying in school/. The effects of the yelling is reinforced and potentially exacerbated by other factors in their lives.Research shows that yelling and other harsh parenting techniques can quite literally change the way your child’s brain develops. That’s because humans process negative information and events more quickly and thoroughly than good ones.
One studythat compared brain MRI scans of people who had a history of parental verbal abuse in childhood with scans of those who did not have a history of abuse. They found a noticeable physical difference in the parts of the brain responsible for processing sounds and language.
Parent Child/ Relationship
Parent-child relationships play a pivotal role in shaping a child’s emotional development, academic performance, and overall well-being. Among the various factors that influence this relationship, the behaviour and communication style of parents, particularly mothers, can have a significant impact.
Mothers may feel compelled to resort to shouting as a means of discipline when their children exhibit any level of none compliance. Non-compliance can range from refusing to follow instructions to engaging in challenging behavior. However, when shouting becomes the default response and is overdone, it can create a negative cycle that impacts the emotional well-being of both the child and the mother.
Research suggests that shouting mothers can disrupt a child’s ability to regulate their emotions effectively. Frequent exposure to shouting can lead to increased anxiety, fear, and a diminished sense of self-worth in children. This emotional turmoil can affect their overall mental health and hinder the development of healthy coping mechanisms.
Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence: Constant exposure to shouting can erode a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence. They may internalize the negative messages conveyed through shouting, leading to feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt. This can impact their social interactions, academic performance, and long-term well-being.
Trust and Attachment: A shouting mother-child dynamic can strain the trust and attachment between them. Children may become reluctant to seek emotional support or share their experiences for fear of being met with anger or shouting. This lack of secure attachment can hinder healthy emotional development and limit the child’s ability to form trusting relationships later in life.
Constant shouting can take a toll on the mental health of mothers. Feelings of guilt, frustration, and helplessness can arise when their desired disciplinary outcomes are not achieved through shouting alone. Mothers may also experience elevated stress levels and symptoms of anxiety or depression, negatively impacting their overall well-being.
Child’s Mental Health: Shouting can contribute to various mental health issues in children, such as anxiety disorders, depression, and behavioural problems. These negative experiences can affect their emotional resilience, self-regulation, and ability to manage stress effectively. Furthermore, children may internalize the shouting behavior and display it in their own interactions, perpetuating the cycle of negative communication.
Comprehensive evidence from a range of research conducted by experts suggests a causal relationship between non-sexual child maltreatment and a range of mental disorders, drug use, suicide attempts, sexually transmitted infections, and risky sexual behaviour.
Emotional and psychological abuse involves a pattern of failure over time on the part of a parent or caregiver to provide a developmentally appropriate and supportive environment.
Neglect includes both isolated incidents, as well as a pattern of failure over time on the part of a parent or other family member to provide for the development and well-being of the child—where the parent is in a position to do so—in one or more of the following areas: health, education, emotional development, nutrition, shelter, and safe living conditions. The parents of neglected children are not necessarily poor.
The Impact on Academic Development
The emotional distress caused by shouting can hinder a child’s cognitive functioning. Constant exposure to stress and fear can impair attention span, memory consolidation, and the ability to concentrate, ultimately affecting academic performance.
: Shouting may diminish a child’s motivation to learn and engage in academic activities. Feelings of negativity and low self-esteem can undermine their enthusiasm for learning, leading to disinterest, reduced effort, and decreased academic achievement.
The impact of shouting mothers on their child’s emotional well-being extends beyond the immediate moment of discipline. It can have long-lasting effects on the child’s emotional development, mental health, and academic performance. Recognizing the detrimental consequences of shouting is essential for parents and caregivers to promote healthy parent-child relationships.
Adopting positive discipline strategies, fostering open communication, and seeking support when needed, parents can create nurturing environments that foster emotional well-being, positive mental health, and academic success.