“New Study Suggests That Tough Love May Harm Adolescents with Depression”
Parents who use tough love as a parenting approach may need to reconsider their tactics. A recent study published in Psychological Medicine has found that adolescents with depression are more sensitive to criticism than praise. This study reveals the potential harm that negative interactions between parents and adolescents can cause, as it correlates them with the development of depression. It measures heightened brain activity and mood ratings as indicators of depression.
Understanding Emotional Responses in Parental Interactions
To understand how adolescents with depression respond emotionally to parental interactions, researchers from Leiden University in the Netherlands conducted a study. They recruited 20 Dutch teens between the ages of 13 and 18 who were diagnosed with either mild or major depression. Additionally, 59 adolescents aged 12 to 18 without any signs of depression, along with their parents, were included in the study.
Determining Emotional Sensitivity
The researchers assessed the emotional sensitivity of the participants by using “feedback words.” These are single descriptive words that evoke specific emotions. Participants and their parents were asked to categorize these words as negative, neutral, or positive. The study aimed to measure brain activity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans while the participants were presented with negative, neutral, or positive feedback words. The adolescents were also told that their parents would be assigning the words that best fit their personality. Each word was prefaced with “Your mother/father thinks you are…”
The Impact of Criticism and Praise
After the MRI scans, the participants were asked to recall as many of the feedback words as they could. The study found that the mood of the adolescents increased less in response to praise compared to the decrease in mood following criticism. This pattern was particularly pronounced in the depressed sub-group. In other words, adolescent brains were more likely to filter out words of praise than words of criticism.
Brain Activity and Self-Perception
Analyzing the MRI scans further, researchers discovered that depressed participants showed higher brain activity compared to non-depressed participants when confronted with critical or negative words. This increased activity occurred primarily in the “subgenual anterior cingulate cortex,” a region responsible for regulating emotions. This finding suggests that adolescents with depression may be especially sensitive to parental criticism, viewing themselves negatively and relying less on their own self-views when faced with criticism.
Improving Depressed Mood
The researchers state in the study that identifying personality characteristics that adolescents value about themselves may be crucial in improving their depressed mood. By understanding what traits they appreciate, parents and professionals can focus on building positive self-perception in adolescents with depression.
Conclusion: A Call for Compassion and Understanding
This study serves as a reminder that parental interactions play a significant role in the mental wellbeing of adolescents, particularly those with depression. It highlights the potential harm caused by criticism and the importance of genuine praise in supporting adolescents’ self-perception and emotional stability. As parents, educators, and society as a whole, it is essential to approach adolescents with compassion and understanding, offering support and encouragement rather than adding to their burden. By fostering positive emotional interactions, we can contribute to the well-being and resilience of our young generations.
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