Högskolan i Skövde

This review underscores the critical role of positive parenting in promoting healthy emotional development in children through its effects on neuronal circuitry development. By fostering secure attachment relationships and providing supportive environments, positive parenting practices contribute to the development of underlying neuronal mechanisms responsible for the development of emotional regulation skills. The identification of sensitive periods in brain development highlights the importance of early interventions aimed at enhancing parenting practices to optimize children's socioemotional outcomes. A literature search was done on Medline EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science and ultimately, three studies and one review were included in this review. Effects of positive vs negative parenting styles on children's emotion regulation were looked at. The review of the selected studies indicates that positive parenting practices, such as warmth, praise, and reduced psychological control, are associated with beneficial outcomes in children's emotional regulation. Specifically, these practices are linked to enhanced maturation of neural circuits, including the fronto-amygdala circuit and the connectivity between the amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex, which are critical for managing emotional responses. Conversely, negative parenting styles, characterized by harshness and psychological control, are correlated with dysregulated emotional responses and less adaptive neural development in these areas. The findings highlight the profound impact of parenting styles on the neural and emotional development of children. Positive parenting not only supports healthier emotional regulation but also contributes to the development of neural mechanisms that underpin these skills. These insights underscore the importance of promoting supportive parenting practices and environments to foster emotional resilience and well-being in children. Further research is necessary to explore these dynamics across diverse populations and to refine strategies that encourage effective parenting approaches.