| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the different parenting dimensions and problem behaviour of young children. Furthermore, differences in parenting dimensions between mothers and fathers were examined. Data was collected amongst 401 families consisting of a mother and father with a child between the age of 16 and 66 months. To assess parenting behaviour and the child’s problem behaviour, each parent filled in The Comprehensive Early Childhood Parenting Questionnaire [CECPAQ] and The Child behaviour Checklist [CBCL]. The results revealed that there seems to be an association between mothers’ parenting behaviour, concerning the dimension harsh discipline, and externalizing behaviour of the child. This is a negative relationship, which means that less harsh discipline is associated with more externalizing problem behaviour. Furthermore, a negative relationship was found between fathers’ parenting behaviour, concerning the dimension structure, and externalizing problem behaviour. This means that less structuring of fathers is associated with more externalizing problem behaviour. When analyzing the relation between parenting dimensions and internalizing problem behaviour there appeared to be no relation for mothers and fathers. Moreover, mothers scored higher on the parenting dimensions warmth, structure, stimulation and positive discipline, whereas fathers scored higher on the parenting dimension harsh discipline. These findings are remarkable, because they contradict earlier studies. More research is needed to explore these differences in findings to have a better understanding of the relationship between parenting behaviour and problem behaviour of children. This knowledge can be used to develop (preventive) interventions aimed at reducing problem behaviours that can take shape at a young age. | |
