Warning: Overly praising children may affect them negatively

Over-praising children could cause them to become narcissistic, according to a new study that evaluated 565 children from seven to 12-years-old. According to one of the authors, Communication and Psychology Professor Brad Bushman of the Ohio State University, over-praising can lead children into believing they are special and are entitled to be treated better all the time

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online)- The study found that children who were constantly being told they are superior over other kids by their parents scored higher on narcissism measurements than children who were given more realistic self-view.

The study, which appeared in the most recent issue of the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, evaluated these children for narcissistic tendencies which included feelings of superiority and self-satisfaction.

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"Parents should be warm and loving, but not give their children blanket praise," said Bushman. He also added that boosting children's self-esteem should not be done for them to do well, rather it should be done after they already did well.

According to Dr. Gene Beresin, the executive director of the Massachusetts General Hospital's Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds, parents are just one of the many influences a child have. Other influences like their teachers, peers and siblings could influence how these children will feel about themselves and how they behave towards other people.

Beresin also explained that the children surveyed were Dutch and Dutch children are not necessarily the same as American children.

The biggest concern was the age of the children in the study. Such personality traits aren't fully developed until late adolescence, he said. Researchers however said that the study was on parental overvaluation cultivating over self-confidence leading to narcissism. Effects of other factors are not ruled out in the study.   

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