Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the association between emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children
and maternal attitudes. The predictor variables were parental attitudes, maternal depression and anxiety symptoms. Our sample
consisted of the mothers of 204 preschool children attending different preschools in Ankara, Turkey. Mothers were asked to
complete the parental attitude research instrument, the beck depression inventory, the trait anxiety inventory, and the child-behavior
checklist. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that when considered jointly, maternal anxiety but not maternal depression
explained variability in preschool children internalizing and externalizing their problems. Mothers rejecting attitudes towards
family life and child-raising styles were also found to be closely associated with the emotional and behavioral problems in
their children. The findings demonstrate that the importance of maternal anxiety is above and beyond the importance of rejecting
the maternal role when it comes to preschool problems in children.
and maternal attitudes. The predictor variables were parental attitudes, maternal depression and anxiety symptoms. Our sample
consisted of the mothers of 204 preschool children attending different preschools in Ankara, Turkey. Mothers were asked to
complete the parental attitude research instrument, the beck depression inventory, the trait anxiety inventory, and the child-behavior
checklist. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that when considered jointly, maternal anxiety but not maternal depression
explained variability in preschool children internalizing and externalizing their problems. Mothers rejecting attitudes towards
family life and child-raising styles were also found to be closely associated with the emotional and behavioral problems in
their children. The findings demonstrate that the importance of maternal anxiety is above and beyond the importance of rejecting
the maternal role when it comes to preschool problems in children.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-0946-6
- Authors
- Sema Yurduşen, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
- Neşe Erol, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
- Tülin Gençöz, Department of Psychology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06531 Turkey
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875