The Detrimental Role of Punitive Parenting in Psychological Well-Being of Children with Learning Disabilities: A Longitudinal Study

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.