The Influence of Maternal and Paternal Parenting on Adolescent Brain Structure.

Background: Adolescents raised in families with different maternal and paternal parenting combinations exhibit variations in neurocognition and psychopathology; however, whether neural differences exist remains unexplored. This study used a longitudinal twin sample to delineate how different parenting combinations influence adolescent brain structure and to elucidate the genetic contribution.

Methods: A cohort of 216 twins participated in parenting assessments during early adolescence and underwent magnetic resonance imaging scanning during middle adolescence. We utilized latent profile analysis to distinguish between various maternal and paternal parenting profiles and subsequently investigated their influences on brain anatomy. Biometric analysis was applied to assess genetic influences on brain structure, and associations with internalizing symptoms were explored.

Results: In early adolescence, 4 parenting profiles emerged, which were characterized by levels of harshness and hostility in one or both parents. Compared with adolescents in "catparent" families (low harshness/hostility in both parents), those raised in "tigermom" families (harsh/hostile mother only) exhibited a smaller nucleus accumbens volume and larger temporal cortex surface area; those in "tigerdad" families demonstrated larger thalamus volumes; and those in "tigerparent" families displayed smaller volumes in the midanterior corpus callosum. Genetic risk factors contributed significantly to the observed brain structural heterogeneity and internalizing symptoms. However, the influences of parenting profiles and brain structure on internalizing symptoms were not significant.

Conclusions: The findings underscore distinct brain structural features linked to maternal and paternal parenting combinations, particularly in terms of subcortical volume and cortical surface area. This study suggests an interdependent role of maternal and paternal parenting in shaping adolescent neurodevelopment.