Variability in the relationship between parenting and executive functions: The role of environmental sensitivity

Abstract

Previous research suggests that children differ substantially in their sensitivity to positive and negative parenting qualities. In a Swiss sample of N = 264 (Mage: 6.0 years, 50.4% female, 15% migration background), we examined the interaction between parenting and children's sensitivity on executive functions (EF). Results showed that EF performance tended to be higher for sensitive children whose parents reported more involved parenting and tended to be lower for sensitive children whose parents reported the use of corporal punishment. No such effects emerged for less sensitive children. The results suggest that parenting quality may be more strongly related to EF performance in more sensitive children compared to less sensitive children.