ESTILOS PARENTAIS E PERFIL DE FUNCIONAMENTO EXECUTIVO: ANÁLISE DE CRIANÇAS ACOMPANHADAS EM AMBULATÓRIO PÚBLICO

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship between parenting styles and executive functions in children, as previous research points to parenting practices as important influences on the development of these functions. Method. Twelve children, aged between six and 11 years, followed at an outpatient clinic of Child Psychiatry at Lauro Wanderley Universitary Hospital, and their respective guardians participated in this study. The instruments used were the subtests of working memory, verbal fluency and inhibitory control of the Neupsilin-inf; and the Parental Styles Inventory (PSI), answered via video call. Results. Significant and negative correlations were verified between the relaxed Discipline factor and the Inhibitory Control index and significant and positive correlations between the general PSI result and the Inhibitory Control index. However, there were also some theoretically surprising results: negative correlation between the positive Monitoring factor and Verbal Fluency; positive correlation between the Inconsistent Punishment factor and Verbal Fluency; and positive correlation between the Negligence factor and Verbal Fluency. Conclusion. In general, it was concluded that the more appropriate the parents' parenting style, the better the children's ability to inhibit, despite the limitations imposed by the current situation, experienced worldwide, and by the use of only one instrument to assess parenting practices.