Poster #63 - The Bidirectional Relationship between Paternal Psychological Distress and Child Internalizing Behaviors

• In Event: 3-003 - Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Section - Developmental Psychopathology

Integrative Statement

Introduction
Parental psychopathology is a frequently examined risk factor in the development and maintenance of childhood behavioral problems (Connel & Goodman, 2002). In previous research, the emphasis has primarily focused on maternal psychopathology as a risk factor for the development of childhood behavioral problems (Connel & Goodman, 2002). This contributed to a paucity of research on the role of paternal psychopathology in the development of these issues. Previous research suggests that maternal and paternal psychopathology play differential roles in the development of internalizing behavior problems depending on the age of the child, with paternal psychopathology influencing adolescence to a greater degree (Connel & Goodman, 2002). Paternal psychopathology has been show to impact internalizing behavior problems in children. However, minimal research exists on the impact of internalizing behavior problems on paternal psychopathology. Thus, the present research aims to address this gap in the literature by examining the bidirectional relationship between paternal psychological distress and child internalizing behavior problems. It is hypothesized that changes in paternal psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety, anger) and internalizing behavior problems would be bidirectional, with paternal psychological distress influencing internalizing child behavior and internalizing child behavior influencing father psychopathology.

Method
The current study utilizes longitudinal data from the National Institute of Health and Human Development (NICHD)’s Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD). Paternal psychopathology was measured six times over a 13 year timespan using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; Radloff, 1977), the State-Trait Anger Scale (STAS; Spielberger, Jacobs, Russell & Crane, 1983), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; Spielberger, Gorsuch, Luschene, Vagg, & Jacobs, 1983). Child behavior was measured correspondingly during the six time periods by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; Achenbach, 1991; Achenbach, 1992). The Internalizing Problems scale was used in the present analysis.
A latent difference score model was utilized to examine the impact of change in each variable over time in relation to the other variable over time. This model is appropriate for this analysis due to the emphasis it places on changes in emotional and behavioral functioning over time within each family, rather than absolute levels of psychopathology or child problem behavior. In the present study, the impact of paternal psychological distress over time on the changes of internalizing behavior problems over time is examined. The reverse relationship is simultaneously examined.

Results
Initial results indicate a bidirectional relationship between paternal psychological distress and the child’s internalizing behavior problems.

Authors

• Emily Nicole Bailey, Mercer University
  Presenting Author

• Craig D Marker, Mercer University
  Non-Presenting Author