Parent-Child Temperament Similarity, Parent-Child Relationship Quality, and Child Behavioral Adjustment

• In Event: Poster Session 05
  In Poster Session: PS 05 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Introduction: Overall similarity in parent-child temperament across multiple dimensions may be linked with important aspects of parent-child relationship quality and child adjustment. Overall parent-child resemblance in temperament and other related behavioral characteristics may increase the chance that the child’s needs and the parent’s expectations for their children will be developmentally and individually appropriate, while also fostering closeness and parental investment (Heijkoop et al., 2009; Tuijl et al., 2005; Volk & Quinsey, 2007). This facilitated relationship quality and supportiveness is likely to promote better child emotional and behavioral adjustment (Aart et al., 2017; Langenhof et al., 2015; Tuijl et al., 2005). Conversely, lower similarity in temperament increases the odds of a mismatch in each dyad partner’s needs and expectations, as well as poorer relationship quality (e.g., less positivity, more negativity) and poorer adjustment in the child. Overall, there has been very little research on the topic of parent-child temperament similarity and child adjustment in families.
In addition, the investigation of the potential associations between similarity, parent-child relationship quality and the child’s adjustment also requires consideration of family socioeconomic factors (e.g., parental education, income, social capital resources). SES is already known to play a role in the processes linking parent and child behavior, the parent-child relationship, and child adjustment (Conger, Conger, & Martin, 2010). Thus, the pattern of the links between parent-child temperament similarity, relationship quality, and child adjustment may vary as a function of family SES.

Hypothesis: Greater mother-child overall similarity in temperament statistically predict lower levels of child behavioral and emotional problems and higher levels of prosocial behaviors. Furthermore, there also will be an indirect predictive effect, via greater parent-child relationship positivity and less relationship negativity. As an additional exploratory aim, we will investigate whether the hypothesized direct and indirect statistical effects vary as a function of family SES.

Methods: Participants were mothers of 3-to-7-year-olds (N = 157). Mothers completed standard reliable and valid questionnaires (ATQ-SF; CBQ-SF; SDQ; PFQ; Discipline Questionnaire; Demographics). Dyad similarity was computed across the full range of the same temperament facet scores in child and parent, using a “Q-correlation” estimation procedure that quantifies in a single value for each dyad’s overall temperament profile similarity (Tuijl et al., 2005; Gaunt, 2006).

Results: As hypothesized, greater temperament similarity was associated with higher child prosocial behavior (r = .18, p = .022) and lower behavioral and emotional problem behaviors, (r = -.25, p = .002). We found that less similarity of parent-child temperament indirectly predicted child behavioral and emotional problems, via less parent-child relationship positivity and more relationship negativity (B = -.941, 95%CI = [-2.045, -.023]). Also, greater similarity of parent-child temperament indirectly predicted child prosocial behaviors, via greater parent-child relationship positivity and less relationship negativity (B = 0.227 [0.012, 0.530]). Higher socioeconomic risk was associated with higher child behavioral and emotional problem behaviors, but the proposed indirect effect did not vary systematically as a function of socioeconomic risk. Results will be discussed in light of current theory, and implications for prevention and intervention will be highlighted.

Authors

• Yelim Hong, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  Presenting Author

• Kirby Deater-Deckard, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  Non-Presenting Author

• Martha Ann Bell, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  Non-Presenting Author