Stresses in childhood could lead to what researchers say is a « general tendency to depression later in life » by altering the way a child’s DNA is read.
Strict parenting could increase a child’s risk of depression later in life, according to new research.
Scientists say that being manipulative or harsh towards a child can actually alter the way their body reads their DNA.
Such changes can become « hardwired » to the DNA of a child who sees their parents as harsh, increasing their risk of depression.
Researchers from the University of Leuven in Belgium chose 21 children who saw their parents as supportive.
They compared these children to 23 whose parents were described as using manipulative behaviour, physical punishment or excessive strictness.
The children were aged between 12 and 16.
The study found that many of those who had experienced harsh parenting showed initial, subclinical signs of depression.
