A longitudinal study of 967 two-parent families and their children has found that harsh verbal discipline, the psychological force causing emotional pain or discomfort to correct or control behavior, in early adolescence can be harmful to teens later. Researchers found that harsh verbal discipline can cause teens to misbehave at school, lie to parents, steal, or fight. Moreover, parents' hostility increases the risk of delinquency and fosters anger, irritability, and belligerence in adolescents.