"Understanding these sensitive periods can inform more effective policy and intervention strategies," said study author Luke Hyde, emphasizing the importance of timing in parenting practices.
The researchers found that harsh parenting during the preschool years negatively impacted overall brain organization, indicating significant long-term effects on a child's cognitive development.
Harshness during middle school specifically affected the prefrontal cortex-amygdala connectivity, crucial for emotional regulation, highlighting the importance of nurturing environments during key developmental stages.
Conversely, warm parenting during middle school proved beneficial, enhancing brain development and correlating with lower anxiety and depression levels during the stressful COVID-19 pandemic.
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