Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between children’s perception of dissimilarity in parenting styles,
and internalizing and externalizing problems in children. Children from the general population (n = 658) reported on the level of emotional warmth, rejection, and overprotection of both parents by filling out the child
version of the Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran (EMBU-C) and mothers completed the child behavior checklist (CBCL). Intraclass
correlations were computed as measures of dissimilarity between parenting styles of mothers and fathers. Children’s perceived
dissimilarity in parental emotional warmth is associated with internalizing and externalizing problems (β = 0.092, p < 0.05; β = 0.091, p < 0.05). Perceived dissimilarity between parents’ overprotection is associated with externalizing problems (β = 0.097, p < 0.05). Perceived dissimilarity between parenting styles is associated with externalizing and internalizing problems, over
and above the effects of the level of the parenting styles. The results highlight the negative consequences of perceived dissimilarity
between parents. To conclude, children have more internalizing and externalizing problems when they perceive their parents
as more dissimilar in parenting styles.
and internalizing and externalizing problems in children. Children from the general population (n = 658) reported on the level of emotional warmth, rejection, and overprotection of both parents by filling out the child
version of the Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran (EMBU-C) and mothers completed the child behavior checklist (CBCL). Intraclass
correlations were computed as measures of dissimilarity between parenting styles of mothers and fathers. Children’s perceived
dissimilarity in parental emotional warmth is associated with internalizing and externalizing problems (β = 0.092, p < 0.05; β = 0.091, p < 0.05). Perceived dissimilarity between parents’ overprotection is associated with externalizing problems (β = 0.097, p < 0.05). Perceived dissimilarity between parenting styles is associated with externalizing and internalizing problems, over
and above the effects of the level of the parenting styles. The results highlight the negative consequences of perceived dissimilarity
between parents. To conclude, children have more internalizing and externalizing problems when they perceive their parents
as more dissimilar in parenting styles.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Contribution
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s00787-011-0234-9
- Authors
- Myra Berkien, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Anneke Louwerse, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Frank Verhulst, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Jan van der Ende, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Online ISSN 1435-165X
- Print ISSN 1018-8827