Persoonlijkheid van moeders als moderator in relaties tussen internaliserende en externaliserende gedragsproblemen bij adolescenten en warme opvoeding door moeders.

Abstract

The relations between adolescent internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors and warm parenting have been well established. However, little attention has been given to the extent to which mothers’ personality characteristics affect strength of relations between adolescent problem behaviors and maternal parenting. Data from the Flemish Study on Parenting, Personality, and Development were used (N = 442). Mothers and adolescents rated adolescents’ behavior (Child Behavior CheckList and Youth Self Report) and mothers rated their Big Five personality characteristics (Five-Factor Personality Inventory) and warm parenting (Parental Practices Questionnaire). The results indicated that higher levels of internalizing and externalizing problem behavior, rated by mothers and adolescents, and internalizing problems rated by mothers, but not adolescents, were directly related to lower levels of warm parenting. Higher levels of Extraversion, Emotional Stability, Conscientiousness, Autonomy and especially Agreeableness were directly related to higher levels of warmth. Furthermore, results indicate that relations between more adolescent internalizing problem behaviors and less warm parenting by mothers are less strong for mothers who score lower on extraversion and autonomy. These results can contribute to a better identification of extravert and/or autonomous mothers which can use help in parenting, when their adolescents exhibit internalizing problem behaviors.