New Study Shows Yelling At Teens No Longer Effective

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- When it comes to parenting, sometimes what you do can backfire. In this case, we're talking about yelling at teenagers.

A recent study found that when parents discipline their teenagers by yelling, swearing at or humiliating them two or more times a week, the teens were more likely to act up in school, lie to parents, steal, fight or show signs of depression.

Parents usually yell because they take their child's behavior personally or they feel out of control. Let's face it, parenting a teen is not always easy.  Here's what one clinical psychologist has to say.

"When their primary caretakers are yelling or humiliating them, it really causes them to question their own self-worth and their own identity," said Dr. Mark Crawford. "You're going to be upset, that's just part of the job description so what i think is important for parents to know is you have to self soothe. You have to step away, get control of your own emotions, then decide what am i trying to do? Do i need to discipline, to teach or do I need to just have a conversation with them?"