Abstract
Lack of compliance has both short- and long-term costs and is a leading reason why parents seek mental health services for
children. What parents do to help children comply with directives or rules is an important part of child socialization. The
current review examines the relationship between a variety of parenting discipline behaviors (i.e., praise, positive nonverbal
response, reprimand, negative nonverbal response) and child compliance. Forty-one studies of children ranging in age from
1½ to 11 years were reviewed. Reprimand and negative nonverbal responses consistently resulted in greater compliance. Praise
and positive nonverbal responses resulted in mixed child outcomes. The findings are discussed based on theory and populations
studied. The authors propose a mechanism that may increase children’s sensitivity to both positive and negative behavioral
contingencies.
children. What parents do to help children comply with directives or rules is an important part of child socialization. The
current review examines the relationship between a variety of parenting discipline behaviors (i.e., praise, positive nonverbal
response, reprimand, negative nonverbal response) and child compliance. Forty-one studies of children ranging in age from
1½ to 11 years were reviewed. Reprimand and negative nonverbal responses consistently resulted in greater compliance. Praise
and positive nonverbal responses resulted in mixed child outcomes. The findings are discussed based on theory and populations
studied. The authors propose a mechanism that may increase children’s sensitivity to both positive and negative behavioral
contingencies.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-22
- DOI 10.1007/s10567-012-0120-0
- Authors
- Daniela J. Owen, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Amy M. S. Slep, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Richard E. Heyman, Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Journal Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
- Online ISSN 1573-2827
- Print ISSN 1096-4037