Many parents worry their child’s bad behaviour is a result of their parenting mistakes, but new research suggests this may not be the case.
A study found that some children are genetically predisposed to behavioural problems.
The research shows that some children display poor self-control and anger problems in a preschool setting because they have inherited the traits from their parents.
Researchers at Oregon State University believe genetics explain why some children thrive at preschool while others develop behavioural problems.
Lead author, Dr Shannon Lipscomb, said: ‘Assuming that findings like this are replicated, we can stop worrying so much that all children will develop behaviour problems at centre-based care facilities, because it has been a concern.
‘But some children (with this genetic predisposition) may be better able to manage their behaviour in a different setting, in a home or smaller group size.’
The researchers collected data from 233 families and found that parents who had high levels of negative emotion and poor self-control were more likely to have children who struggled with behavioural issues.
The researchers also studied adopted children and found a link between their birth parents’ characteristics and their behaviour even though they had not been brought up by them.
‘We aren't recommending that children are genetically tested, but parents and caregivers can assess a child's needs and help them get to a setting that might be more appropriate,’ Dr Lipscomb said.
‘This study helps us to explain why some children struggle so much with large peer groups and heightened social interactions. It may not be a problem with a teacher or parent, but that they are struggling on a biological level.’
The news comes shortly after a study from the University of Oxford revealed that children who spend time in day care centres, or with child minders, are more likely to have behavioural problems, such as hyperactivity.
The researchers also found that children who spend more time in pre-school playgroups have fewer problems with relationships with other children but that those who spend a lot of time in the care of their grandparents tend to have more peer problems.
许多家长担心孩子出现不良行为是自己教育不当的结果，但是新的研究表明，事实并非如此。
一项研究发现，有些儿童具有产生行为问题的遗传倾向。
研究显示，有些儿童在学前环境中表现出自我控制能力差和易发怒的问题，是因为他们遗传了家长的性格。
俄勒冈州立大学的研究人员认为，遗传基因可以解释为什么有些小孩在幼儿园成长得很好，而有些小孩却逐渐产生行为问题。
研究报告的首席作者香农•利普斯科姆表示，“假如这样的研究结果具有普遍性，我们就可以不再那么担心所有孩子都有可能在幼托机构产生行为问题了。
“不过，在不同的环境，比如在家里或更小的群体中，受遗传因素影响的孩子也许能更好地控制自己的行为。”
研究人员收集并研究了233个家庭的数据，发现消极情绪强烈、自我控制能力差的家长更有可能生养出因行为问题而苦恼的孩子。
他们还研究了被收养孩子的情况，发现尽管抚养孩子的不是亲生父母，但是孩子的行为与亲生父母的性格有关系。
利普斯科姆博士说，“我们不建议孩子接受基因检测，但是家长和看护人员可以评估孩子的需要，帮助他们在更适合的环境中成长。”
“这一研究帮助我们解释了为什么有些孩子很难融入更大的同龄人群体和更广泛的社交活动。这也许不是老师或家长的问题，而是遗传问题。”
此前不久，牛津大学的一项研究披露，放在日托中心或与保姆呆在一起的孩子更可能出现行为问题，例如多动症。
研究人员还发现，在学前托儿所逗留时间长的孩子与其他孩子相处问题更少，而那些与祖父母呆在一起时间长的孩子在与同龄人相处时更有可能出现问题。