How Authoritative, Authoritarian, Permissive, and Neglectful Parenting Shapes Children’s Behavioural Development

Abstract

Background: Parenting styles—profoundly influence children’s behavioural outcomes, shaping their cognitive, emotional, social, and academic growth across varied cultural settings. Method: A systematic review examined 25 studies sourced from PubMed, Google Scholar, Sage Journals, and PsycArticles, spanning 2018–2024. Studies, employing qualitative, quantitative, or cluster analysis, involved 105–802 participants (parents and children aged 2–18) from nations including China, India, and Western countries, chosen for relevance to parenting styles and child behaviour. Analysis: Data were synthesized to assess the impact of each parenting style on child outcomes, with attention to moderating factors like culture and socioeconomic status. Narrative synthesis and, where applicable, statistical pooling were used to compare findings across studies. Result: Authoritative parenting consistently fostered superior cognitive development, emotional stability, academic achievement, and social competence. Authoritarian and neglectful styles were associated with increased behavioural problems, emotional distress, and academic underperformance. Permissive parenting yielded inconsistent results, with negative effects in some contexts but positive outcomes in specific cultural frameworks. Discussion: Authoritative parenting’s advantages hold across cultures, unlike authoritarian and neglectful styles, which often produce adverse effects. Permissive parenting’s variability reflects cultural influences. Methodological inconsistencies and potential biases limit broader applicability. Conclusion and Implication: Authoritative parenting best promotes positive child behaviour, warranting its promotion through culturally tailored interventions. Future research should adopt standardized methodologies and longitudinal approaches to establish causality. Policymakers and educators should integrate authoritative parenting strategies into family support programs to enhance child development.