ROLE OF PARENTING STYLES IN CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between parenting styles and behavior problems of children. One of the objectives of the study was to identify particular parenting style that predicts the behavior problems in children. Demographic variables were also considered in analyses to examine, and accounted for, their influences. The study was completed in two parts. Part I was completed in two steps. First step was concerned with the Urdu translation of original version of Parenting Styles and dimensions questionnaire (PSDQ) (Robinson et al., 1995). In second step, psychometric properties were determined for the translated version of (PSDQ) i.e., reliability estimates, item-total correlation and inter-subscale correlation. In second part, main study was carried out on the sample of 200 couples of parents with a child between the age of 8 to 12 years and minimum range of education level was atleast matric. Urdu version of parenting styles and dimension questionnaire was used to assess the parenting style of parents. Child Problem Checklist developed by Tariq & Hanif (2007) was used to assess the behavior problems of the children. Correlation and multiple Regression analyses were computed to test the hypotheses. Correlation analysis showed that authoritative parenting style of both fathers and mothers was significantly negatively correlated with behavior problems of the children. Whereas, authoritarian and permissive parenting styles of both mothers and fathers showed significant positive correlation with behavior problems of the children. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated only authoritarian parenting style of mothers and fathers as a significant predictor of behavior problems (both externalizing and internalizing) in children. Negative relationship between authoritative parenting style of mothers and fathers with behavior problems of children turned out to be non-significant. Relationship between permissive parenting style of both mothers and fathers with the behavior problems (internalizing and externalizing) was non-significant, but fathers’ permissive parenting style was significantly predicting the externalizing behavior problems of children. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were computed on the demographic variables. However, non-significant results were found for these demographic variables. Limitations of the current study and suggestions for future empirical endeavors have also been discussed.