Parental lying to children: A systematic review

Emma Roza*, Ines Lucieer, Daphne van de Bongardt, Maartje Luijk, Rianne Kok

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Parents lie to their children, for example, to influence children's behavior and emotions (parenting by lying). The aim of this systematic review was to describe the current scientific literature on parental lying, including its prevalence, correlates, conceptualizations, and operationalizations. Through an extensive literature search using PRISMA guidelines, 23 eligible peer-reviewed empirical papers on parental lying have been found. Many parents are found to lie to their children. However, existing research is characterized by a heterogeneous and narrow conceptualization and operationalization of parental lying, and a focus on problems. Following this, the current empirical evidence points mostly toward associations with maladaptive development. Following a critical analysis of the studies, future research should implement broader conceptualizations and operationalizations of parental lying in non-retrospective, experimental, or prospective longitudinal research designs on maladaptive and adaptive correlates, to determine the significance of parental lying for children.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-30
Number of pages30
JournalJournal of Family Theory and Review
Volume16
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 23 Oct 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Family Theory & Review published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of National Council for Family Relations.

Research programs

  • ESSB PED

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