Family Conflict and Children's Behavior in Low-Income Families
Author Information
Author(s): Huang Rong, Chazan-Cohen Rachel, Carlson Delaina
Primary Institution: Department of Psychological Science and Counseling, Austin Peay State University; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut
Hypothesis
Early family conflict is positively associated with children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors in early adolescence.
Conclusion
The study found that family conflict in early childhood predicts both internalizing and externalizing behaviors in children, with maternal depression and parenting practices playing significant mediating roles.
Supporting Evidence
- Family conflict was positively associated with maternal depression at age 3.
- Maternal depression was linked to increased child internalizing and externalizing behaviors.
- Detached parenting was associated with decreased behavioral outcomes in children.
- Different indirect paths of parenting behaviors were observed in boys and girls.
Takeaway
If families fight a lot when kids are little, those kids might have more problems with feelings and behavior as they grow up. Moms' feelings and how they parent can make a difference.
Methodology
The study used a longitudinal design with data from the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project, analyzing relationships between family conflict, maternal depression, parenting practices, and child behavioral outcomes.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on parent reports for multiple constructs.
Limitations
The study relied on parent-reported measures for family conflict, maternal depression, and child behavior, which may introduce bias.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 1622 children from low-income families, with 51.4% boys, 38.3% White, 35.5% Hispanic/Latino, 22.1% African American, and 4.1% other.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI [0.002, 0.095]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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