Relationship between parenting practices and problem behavior in 11 and 12 year old boys and girls

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between parenting practices and problem behavior in 11 and 12 year-old boys and girls. It is important to investigate this relationship because problem behavior has negative effects on the child's own development, as well as on his or her family. Because there is a reciprocal influence between parenting and problem behavior in children, it is important to gain insight into the two different directions, as well as the magnitude of this relationship. A total of 458 children participated in the study, with boys comprising 47% of the population and girls 53%. Using information gathered from self-reports, the degree of externalizing and internalizing problem behavior was related to the perception of children about positive and negative parental behavior. No gender differences were found. Consistent with one of the hypotheses, ANCOVA analyses show an inverse relationship between positive parenting and externalizing problem behavior. No relationship was found between positive parenting and internalizing problem behavior, a finding inconsistent with one of the research hypotheses. A positive relationship was found between negative parenting on the one hand, and both internalizing and externalizing problem behavior on the part of the child on the other. This is consistent with one of the research hypotheses. The above-mentioned relationships reveal a vicious circle of negative parenting and problem behavior.