The detrimental role of punitive parenting in psychological well-being of children with learning disabilities: a longitudinal study

Abstract

In accordance with self-determination theory, this paper examined whether punitive parenting (child and parent reports) would predict psychological well-being (i.e., self-esteem, affect, life satisfaction) of children with learning disabilities over time. We analysed data from 300 German children with learning disabilities who were surveyed in Grades 3 and 4 and their parents (N = 300), who were surveyed only once in Grade 3. Cross-sectional results in Grade 3 demonstrated negative associations between children’s perceived punitive parenting and all child well-being outcomes, whereas parent report of punitive parenting was not associated with any well-being outcomes. In terms of longitudinal relations, children’s perceptions of greater punitive parenting in Grade 3 resulted in greater negative affect in Grade 4. Results and implications of this paper are discussed.

Keywords:

• punitive parenting
• psychological well-being
• learning disabilities

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung: BMBF) under Grant [number 01 JC 1101].