The Relationship between negative parenting and externalizing behavioral problems of adolescents in multi-problem families and the role of parental empowerment

Abstract

Background: Problems at child- and parenting level are a common problem among multi-problem families. In order to break through intergenerational transmission of problems within this vulnerable group, it is important to gain insight into the relationship between these problems and a possible buffering factor in this regard. Aim: Current research aimed to investigate how negative parenting behavior (poor monitoring and inconsistent discipline) is related to externalizing behavioral problems of adolescents in multi-problem families. In addition, it was examined whether this connection was moderated by parental empowerment. Methods: The data used in this study is collected by questionnaires and is part of the GRIP study. 26 adolescents (Mage = 15.2, SD = 1.3) and 26 parents (7 fathers, 19 mothers) participated in this study. The adolescents had a risk of or an indication for out-of-home placement. The data was analyzed using two hierarchical regression analyses. Results: Results showed that poor monitoring was significantly positively associated with externalizing behavioral problems in adolescents, however inconsistent discipline was not. No moderation effect of parental empowerment on these relationships was found. Conclusion: Current research has shown that externalizing behavioral problems in multi-problem families are partly related to negative parenting behavior. Although the degree of parental empowerment does not seem to influence this connection, it is important to consider the lack of problem awareness in this group and to take this into account for subsequent research.