Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics and environmental interactions. Yet, recent research is shedding light on and helping parents to understand how their parenting style might influence ADHD risk in their children.
A new research study, published in Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, followed children over nearly two decades, starting with assessments of their temperament at just four months old, particularly their reactions to novel situations. Researchers discovered a notable link between high-energy temperaments and ADHD symptoms. Children who displayed heightened activity levels and emotional intensity were more likely to experience ADHD-like behaviors. However, temperament alone does not determine ADHD, as genetics and the environment also play crucial roles.
“There was this fascinating group of babies who loved all the new sounds and sights we put in front of them. They would smile, laugh, and reach for them,” explains study co-author Heather Henderson, a Developmental Psychologist and the Professor and Chair of Psychology at the University of Waterloo to Parents.com. “We became really interested in looking at what the developmental consequences would be of what we now call ‘exuberant’ profile.”
One of the most significant findings of the study was the impact of parenting style. Children with high energy levels exhibited milder ADHD symptoms when their parents employed what researchers termed “directive” parenting. This approach emphasizes guidance and support rather than control, fostering an environment where children feel secure and understood. Dr. Henderson explains that directive parenting encourages positive interactions and helps children manage their emotions more effectively.
“Directiveness correlated with parents being really supportive and providing physical and verbal cues to help guide them,” she told the outlet. (For example, helping them take a breath if they’re worked up.) “Directiveness [means] helping your kid when they need it and being sensitive when they are [becoming] dysregulated.”
For parents concerned about ADHD, this research suggests that being attuned to a child’s temperament and adopting a supportive parenting style can significantly influence their emotional regulation and behavior. By focusing on nurturing strategies that promote structure and guidance, parents can help mitigate ADHD-like symptoms, setting their children on a path toward better emotional health and behavioral management.
One parenting style that can help parents achieve this goal is called “scaffolding”. According to the experts, the “scaffolding” parenting method “is when parents provide help, guidance, and structure as their child learns new skills, and once they become more confident, you step back and allow them to try things on their own (while still offering guidance when needed).”
“The whole idea here is about [the child] learning how to self-regulate and self-manage their behaviors,” states Dr. Henderson. “It’s giving kids cues, physical and verbal, to remind them to hold back, think, reflect, take a moment, and plan what you’re going to do. Providing that model of self-regulation through parenting translates into kids who are better able to do that themselves later on.”
Dr. Henderson does recommend that parents don’t put too much pressure on themselves and know that it is okay to switch up parenting styles to best meet the needs of their children. If you suspect that your child is demonstrating ADHD symptoms, it is best to contact their physician immediately for further evaluation.