| dc.description.abstract | Objective: Parental Self-efficacy (PSE) has been positively linked to the adaptability and sociality of children. Furthermore, positive Parenting Behavior (PB) advances the academic and social development of children. The possibility exists that PSE has an influence on PB, because a high rate of PSE probably results in positive PB. However, there is still unclarity about the exact relationship between negative PB and child outcomes (CO) and between PSE and PB because research findings have been inconsistent. Therefore, the present study investigates the potential mediating role of PB in the relation between PSE and CO and the differences between fathers and mothers in these relationships. Method: A total of 261 parents participated in an online questionnaire. Parts of the questionnaires NOSI, CECPAQ, and SDQ were used to explore the parents PSE, PB and CO of their 2-till-4-years-old children. Results: A higher PSE is a predictor for more negative CO. Also, a higher PSE causes more negative discipline and less warmth and support in PB. More warmth and structure will result in more positive CO. Only for fathers, positive discipline appeared to induce more positive CO. Negative discipline had no relationship with CO. Finally, the relation between PSE and CO seems to be partly mediated by PB. Conclusions: A high PSE has a negative influence on CO and PB so interventions should focus on creating a more realistic representation of parents’ PSE. The difference between fathers’ and mothers’ influence on CO is not large so fathers should be involved in interventions too. | |
