De Rol van Opvoedstress en Opvoedgedrag bij Probleemgedrag bij Jonge Kinderen

Abstract

Abstract For almost all parents, raising a young child causes a certain amount of stress at one time or another. When long-lasting, this parenting stress can be related to poor developmental outcomes in children, such as behavioural problems. Therefore, it is important to gain a better understanding about this relationship. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between parenting stress and externalizing problem behaviour in young children. In addition, it was examined whether this relationship was mediated by parenting behavior, specifically parental sensitivity and parental structure. Data were collected from a community sample of 400 Dutch families with a child aged 0-5 years at the time of assessment. Both parents were asked to complete several questionnaires assessing child, parental, and demographic variables. Multiple regression analyses were performed to analyse the data. Findings revealed a strong association between parenting stress and externalizing problem behaviour in children, for both fathers and mothers. Associations between parenting stress and parenting behaviour and between parenting behaviour and externalizing problem behaviour were also found. However, parenting behaviour did not mediate the relationship between parenting stress and externalizing problem behaviour in young children. The results offer information regarding the determinants of problem behaviour as well as clinical implications and recommendations for future research.