Abstract
This paper presents an essay that uses an epigenetic approach to attain an inclusive and in-depth understanding of the influence of family context and quality of parenting on children’s psychological development. Based on the identification of a key developmental process in which interactions are continuously internalised, the approach draws attention to the bidirectional and systemic nature of intrafamily and parenting interactions and highlights the multiple factors that influence them, which are linked to the developmental history of the species, the individual characteristics of both the child and their parents, and contextual variables. In response to these internalised interactions, the body activates epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, which may affect the phenotypic expression of the genome. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed in light of the current process of identifying the biological profiles underlying negative and positive parenting practices. Some insights are offered regarding the challenges and opportunities that parents and policymakers should address in the 21st century in connection with the promotion of positive parenting, taking into account the epigenetic processes triggered by adverse environments for children and their families.
Highlights
The main objective of this essay is to support the use of an epigenetic approach as a means of gaining an inclusive and in-depth understanding of the influence of family context and quality of parenting on children’s psychological development
Factors that influence the quality and quantity of the family interactions experienced by the subject, which in turn stem from individual child and parental variables, as well as from contextual variables such as exposure to neurotoxins, stress and poverty, may give rise to molecular processes around DNA which, while not mutating its structure, regulate the activity of the genome, configuring the human phenotype in a multitude of different ways (Nilsson et al 2018)
-called “harsh parenting” is a variable that has a strong influence on methylation processes; as Bueno (2021) points out, adverse childhood environmental conditions, such as those generated by harsh parenting, contribute to epigenetic modifications that may affect cognitive and socioemotional development
Summary
The main objective of this essay is to support the use of an epigenetic approach as a means of gaining an inclusive and in-depth understanding of the influence of family context and quality of parenting on children’s psychological development. -called “harsh parenting” is a variable that has a strong influence on methylation processes; as Bueno (2021) points out, adverse childhood environmental conditions, such as those generated by harsh parenting, contribute to epigenetic modifications that may affect cognitive and socioemotional development These findings are supported by the work of Lewis et al (2021), which highlights the influence of harsh parenting on DNA methylation (an influence that is similar to that of other adverse early experiences, such as abuse and neglect) and identifies the HPA diurnal function in NR3C1 gene methylation. The literature review revealed empirical evidence compatible with an epigenetic approach to fully describing the contribution of family context and parenting interactions to our understanding of human psychological development
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