Is your child hearing 'yes' too often? Get ready for dark personality traits: 5 parenting habits that has negative effect on kids

Parents often want the best for their children. Many try to provide comfort, support, and opportunities whenever possible. But a new study suggests that constantly giving children everything they want, without enough limits or boundaries, could be linked to certain negative personality traits later in life.

The research, published in Current Psychology, found that adults who remembered experiencing highly indulgent parenting during childhood were more likely to report traits associated with narcissism, psychopathy, and manipulative behavior. At the same time, the study found that healthy praise from parents appeared to be linked with more positive social and emotional outcomes.

The study, titled “Praise the light, indulge the dark: Parenting strategies and dark personality traits,” was authored by Jennifer Vonk, Virgil Zeigler-Hill, and Nyla Griffin and published on April 28, 2026.

What the researchers found

To explore the connection between parenting and personality development, researchers surveyed 720 college students in the United States. Participants were asked to reflect on their childhood experiences and describe how they remembered being treated by their parents or caregivers.

The researchers examined six parenting factors: praise, indulgence, emphasis on status, parental care, denial of psychological autonomy, and encouragement of behavioral freedom. These responses were then compared with personality traits linked to what psychologists call the "Dark Triad" — a framework that includes narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism.

The results showed a clear pattern. High levels of recalled parental indulgence and low levels of praise were associated with higher levels of narcissistic antagonism, psychopathic meanness, and psychopathic disinhibition. These traits are generally linked to hostility, impulsive behavior, lack of empathy, and difficulty maintaining healthy relationships.

In contrast, parental praise was associated with more socially positive characteristics, including confidence, planning ability, social engagement, and a stronger sense of personal agency.

Five parenting habits the study suggests parents should be careful about

While the study does not prove cause and effect, it highlights several parenting behaviors that were associated with less desirable personality outcomes.

1. Giving children nearly everything they ask for
The strongest finding involved parental indulgence. Researchers defined indulgence as overvaluing a child, avoiding limits, and regularly giving in to their demands.

Participants who reported high levels of childhood indulgence were more likely to score higher on traits linked to hostility, defensiveness, impulsivity, and callousness.

2. Failing to balance praise with boundaries
The study found an important difference between praise and indulgence. Praise reinforces a child's worth and achievements, while indulgence can create an inflated sense of entitlement.

Researchers observed that low levels of praise were linked to many of the same negative traits associated with excessive indulgence. The findings suggest that children may benefit from encouragement and recognition, but within a structure that also includes reasonable limits.

3. Restricting psychological independence
Another pattern emerged around what researchers called the denial of psychological autonomy. This includes behaviors such as excessive control, invading privacy, or limiting a child's ability to make age-appropriate decisions.

The study found that this type of parenting was associated with higher levels of narcissistic antagonism and psychopathic disinhibition, suggesting that overly restrictive environments may have unintended consequences.

4. Focusing too heavily on status and prestige
Parents sometimes encourage children to pursue success, recognition, or social standing. The research found that a strong emphasis on status was connected to both positive and negative personality traits.

While it was associated with confidence and boldness in some cases, it was also linked to increased antagonism and manipulative tendencies. The findings suggest that achievement-focused parenting may produce mixed outcomes depending on how it is delivered.

5. Allowing impulsive behavior to go unchecked
The researchers noted that indulgent parenting may unintentionally reinforce difficult behaviors. They pointed to the "coercion hypothesis," which proposes that children with challenging temperaments may receive increasingly permissive responses from stressed caregivers. Over time, this pattern can strengthen impulsive or noncompliant behavior.

The findings suggest that consistent boundaries remain an important part of helping children develop self-regulation skills.

Understanding the Dark Triad

Psychologists use the term "Dark Triad" to describe three personality dimensions that can create social difficulties.

Narcissism is associated with an inflated sense of self-importance and a strong desire for admiration. Psychopathy involves traits such as low empathy, impulsivity, and emotional coldness. Machiavellianism refers to a cynical and manipulative approach to relationships and social situations.

Researchers note that these traits exist on a spectrum and can appear to varying degrees in the general population. Some characteristics, such as confidence or social assertiveness, may even be advantageous in certain situations. However, higher levels of antagonism, manipulation, and impulsivity can create significant personal and professional challenges.

Important limitations of the study

The researchers cautioned against drawing simple conclusions from the findings. The study relied on adults' memories of childhood experiences, meaning the results reflect perceptions rather than direct observations. It also used a correlational design, which means it cannot prove that specific parenting styles directly cause personality traits.

In addition, the sample consisted mainly of American college students, most of whom were women, limiting how broadly the findings can be applied to other populations.

Even with those limitations, the study adds to growing evidence that the way parents balance praise, independence, warmth, and boundaries may play an important role in shaping how children relate to others later in life. Rather than suggesting that parents become stricter or less supportive, the findings point toward the value of combining encouragement with clear expectations and healthy limits.