Is Your Enthusiasm Hurting Your Child? Constructive Criticism Is A Good Thing

Emotional abuse is always wrong. It's never good to call anyone names, and physical abuse is entirely out of the question. However, there's nothing wrong with a bit of constructive criticism.

New research from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that excessive and constant praise for your child, even when unwarranted, could lead to an increased risk of narcissistic tendencies.

Researchers found that children with parents who described them as "more special than other children" or who "deserved something extra in life" were more likely to score higher on tests of narcissism than peers.

The findings were based on 565 children in the Netherlands who were surveyed over the course of a year and a half, along with their parents. Children involved in the study were between the ages of seven and 11 when they entered the study, which involved four surveys that were given six months apart each time.

They measured how much parents overvalued their children by asking how much they agreed with such statements such as "my child is a great example for other children to follow," etc.

"Narcissistic children feel superior to others, believe they are entitled to privileges, and crave for constant admiration from others," study author Eddie Brummelman said, via Forbes. "When they fail to obtain the admiration they want, they may lash out aggressively. Narcissistic individuals are also at increased risk to develop addiction. Subgroups of narcissists, especially those with low self-esteem, are at increased risk to develop anxiety and depression."

However, researchers also reiterated that there are certain genetic components to narcissistic traits involved. More research will be needed to determine just how much of an influence these expressions can have on children.

"It is important to express warmth to your children because that may promote self-esteem, but overvaluing them may promote higher narcissism."