Parental beliefs as predictors of children's externalizing behaviors
Abstract
The relationship between maternal beliefs about
children's externalizing behaviors (EB) and the frequency
of their children's EB was investigated. The sample of 71
consisted of two groups of mothers of children between 8-12
years of age. The Clinic group consisted of 35 mothers of
children referred to a Children's Clinic due to
externalizing behavior problems. The School group
consisted of 36 mothers of children attending elementary
school. Mothers completed questionnaires measuring
parental beliefs and the frequency of their children's EB.
Results showed that mothers' endorsement of authoritarian
parenting was positively related to children's EB scores.
A U-shaped relationship was found between mothers'
relationship-centered goals and children's EB scores.
Parent-centered goals and children's EB scores were
positively correlated only in the clinic group. Mothers'-hostile
attribution scores were positively related to their
children's EB scores in both groups. Mothers with low
perceived parenting scores were associated with higher
children's EB scores in both groups. Overall, results
revealed potential clinical implications. Parenting
programs that change parenting goals, attributions, and
ii
Parental Beliefs
sense of parenting control, which in turn influences
parenting behavior, may influence the frequency of their
children's externalizing behaviors.