Parenting Stress and Children's Behavior Problems: The Moderating Role of Parent-Child Relationship

• In Event: The Role of Parents in Child and Adolescent Development

Abstract

While parenting stress and parent-child relationships may influence children’s development, there is limited understanding regarding whether these factors have an impact on children’s behavior problems. This study examines whether parenting stress predicts children’s behavior problems and whether parent-child relationships serve as a moderator. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses on a sample of preschool children (N=43) showed that the quality of parent-child relationships matter more than parenting stress does on children’s behavior problems. Although parent-child relationships were not found to play a moderating role, close parent-child relationships were associated with lower externalizing behaviors, and conflict parent-child relationships were associated with heightened internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Close parent-child relationships appear to be an important contributor to a reduced risk for children’s behavioral problems.

Authors

• Xiaoyu Fu, Syracuse University

• Eunjoo Jung, Syracuse University