The Relation between Parenting Stress and Child Behavior Problems: Negative Parenting Styles as Mediator
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ORIGINAL PAPER
The Relation between Parenting Stress and Child Behavior Problems: Negative Parenting Styles as Mediator Miranda Chi Kuan Mak
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Lu Yin1 Minghui Li1 Ray Yu-hin Cheung2 Pey-Tee Oon1 ●
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© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Parenting young children could be stressful at times and parenting stress could have an impact on parenting styles and child behavior problems which could lead to difficulties in later life. Therefore, the relationship among these three factors is worthy of examination. In this study we aim to examine the direct relationship between parenting stress, parenting styles, and perceived child behavior problems; and to investigate a model that illustrates the mediating role of negative (authoritarian and permissive) parenting styles on the relationship between parenting stress and perceived child behavior problems in China. A total of 371 parents with preschool age children (3 to 7 years old) were recruited. The results showed higher level of parenting stress was associated with higher level of reported child behavior problems. Parenting stress was positively related to negative parenting styles, and negative parenting styles partially mediated the relationship between parenting stress and child behavior problems. Findings from this study suggested that reducing parenting stress, improving parenting behaviors such as parenting styles, and enhancing parent-child relationship through early support (e.g., parenting skills training) are of vital importance and mutual benefits to the parents, children, and family relationships at large. Keywords Parenting stress Child behavior problems Preschool children Negative (authoritarian and permissive) parenting styles Mediator ●
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Highlights This study examines the relationships of parenting styles with parenting stress and child behavior problems in Chinese context. ● Parenting stress was positively associated with child behavior problems. ● Parenting stress was positively related to negative parenting styles. ● Negative parenting styles partially mediated the relationship between parenting stress and child behavior problems. ●
Early childhood is a period of rapid development. In particular, the period between 2 and 6 years old is a critical period of transitioning from infancy to growing autonomy, as well as social and cognitive competence (Campbell 1995). Developmental changes during early childhood require children to adapt to new environments and to adjust
* Miranda Chi Kuan Mak [email protected] 1
Faculty of Education, University of Macau, E33, Av. da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China
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Department of Applied Psychology, Lingnan University, Hong Kong, China
their behaviors accordingly. It is also a period of outgrowing problem behaviors (Campbell 1995; 2006). Previous research has attempted to discover the presence of behavioral problems (internalizing and externalizing behaviors) in early childhood and their consequences for later development, and a
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