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Predicting internalizing problems in Chinese children: The unique and interactive effects of parenting and child temperament

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 July 2013

Luma Muhtadie ,
Qing Zhou ,
Nancy Eisenberg  and
Yun Wang
Luma Muhtadie
Affiliation:
University of California, Berkeley
Qing Zhou*
Affiliation:
University of California, Berkeley
Nancy Eisenberg
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Yun Wang
Affiliation:
Beijing Normal University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Qing Zhou, Department of Psychology, 3210 Tolman Hall 1650, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1650; E-mail: [email protected].
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Abstract

The additive and interactive relations of parenting styles (authoritative and authoritarian parenting) and child temperament (anger/frustration, sadness, and effortful control) to children's internalizing problems were examined in a 3.8-year longitudinal study of 425 Chinese children (aged 6–9 years) from Beijing. At Wave 1, parents self-reported on their parenting styles, and parents and teachers rated child temperament. At Wave 2, parents, teachers, and children rated children's internalizing problems. Structural equation modeling indicated that the main effect of authoritative parenting and the interactions of Authoritarian Parenting × Effortful Control and Authoritative Parenting × Anger/Frustration (parents' reports only) prospectively and uniquely predicted internalizing problems. The above results did not vary by child sex and remained significant after controlling for co-occurring externalizing problems. These findings suggest that (a) children with low effortful control may be particularly susceptible to the adverse effect of authoritarian parenting and (b) the benefit of authoritative parenting may be especially important for children with high anger/frustration.

Type
Regular Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , August 2013 , pp. 653 - 667
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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