The findings indicate both positive and negative outcomes that could have lasting consequences on children’s emotional development.
Verbal reasoning was associated with higher levels of getting along with others, but also with increased aggression and higher levels of distraction.
For nonviolent discipline, which involved verbal reasoning and taking away privileges, mixed outcomes occurred, Grogan-Kaylor said.
Verbal reasoning did promote one positive result: Children were more prosocial with others, especially in countries where this discipline was more common.
Surprisingly, verbal reasoning also increased aggression, likely in cases when the parents used harsh tones and language, the study suggested.
Meanwhile, children did not get along with other children and showed higher levels of aggression and became distracted when parents took away privileges.
Co-authors included Berenice Castillo, Garrett Pace, Kaitlin Ward, Shawna Lee and Heather Knauer of UM-Ann Arbor and Julie Ma of UM-Flint. »