Strict or harsh parenting could increase a child’s risk of depression later in life

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.

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.

Aston spoke to lecturer and author Dr Mine Conkbayir.

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