De relatie tussen structuur in opvoeding en externaliserend gedrag bij peuters en de invloed van zwangerschapsduur en het geslacht.

Abstract

Externalising behavioural problems arise in pre-school and can be part of normal development. In some children externalising behaviour [EB] does not diminish. There appears to be a strong relationship between parenting style and EB. Boys and moderately prematurely [MP] born children, run an extra risk of developing EB. This study examines the relationship between structure in upbringing, EB in three-year-old toddlers and influence of gestational age [GA] and gender. It’s expected that there is a negative relationship between the structure in parenting and the degree of EB; more structure leading to less EB at the age of three. Furthermore, it’s expected that GA and gender influence the relationship between the structure of upbringing and the degree of EB and are moderator independent of each other. A total of 149 mothers filled out the CBCL 1.5-5 to measure EB and CECPAQ to measure the structure in parenting. The hypotheses were investigated by means of Pearson's correlation and two hierarchical regression analysis. Results showed a significant negative relationship between structure in upbringing and EB in MP and term born and girls. GA and gender did not appear to moderate the relationship between structure in upbringing and EB in current study. Follow-up research should focus on heterogeneous groups that are representative of the Dutch population. In addition, a longitudinal study would have great added value, so that the development of children in the field of EB is better mapped out.