Harsh parenting practices mediate the association between parent affective profiles and child adjustment outcomes: Differential associations for mothers and fathers

Abstract

Children’s early emotional environment strongly influences their later behavioural development. Yet, besides maternal depression, limited knowledge exists about the effect of other emotions and the role of fathers. Using 290 triads (mother/father/child), we investigated how positive (SEEKING, CARING, PLAYFULNESS) and negative (FEAR, ANGER, SADNESS) dimensions of mothers’ and fathers’ affectivity relate to their offspring’s externalizing and internalizing behaviours directly as well as indirectly via parenting practices. Parental variables were measured when children were 4 years old and children’s behaviours were measured at 8 years of age. Latent Profile Analysis identified three parental affective profiles: low negative emotions, balanced, and high emotional. Structural equation models showed that, for boys, mothers’ low negative emotions and high emotional profiles predicted later internalizing behaviours (direct effect; β = −0.21 and β = 0.23), while fathers’ low negative emotions profile predicted externalizing behaviours indirectly (β = −0.10). For girls, mothers’ profiles ( low negative emotions and high emotional) predicted both internalizing (β = −0.04 and β = 0.07) and externalizing (β = −0.05 and β = 0.09) behaviours indirectly, but no effects of fathers’ profiles were found. Mothers’ and fathers’ affective profiles contributed to the behavioural development of their offspring in different ways, according to the type of behaviour (internalizing or externalizing) and the child’s sex. These findings may help in tailoring existing parenting interventions on affective profiles, thus enhancing their efficacy.

Parental affective personality and children's self‐reported internalising and externalising behaviour

“…Although sex differences in internalising behaviours have generally not been reported prior to puberty, girls were found to be approximately twice as likely to experience internalising behaviours after puberty, while boys were twice as likely to demonstrate externalising behaviours throughout their lifetime (Nolen-Hoeksema & Rusting, 2003). In addition, differential associations between parental ANPS profiles and child behaviour in relation to child sex have previously been found (Orri et al, 2019). However, while some research indicates that child sex may moderate the link between parental personality and child behaviour (Nigg & Hinshaw, 1998;Orri et al, 2019), other studies did not find evidence of such moderation (Prinzie et al, 2005a).…”

“…In addition, differential associations between parental ANPS profiles and child behaviour in relation to child sex have previously been found (Orri et al, 2019). However, while some research indicates that child sex may moderate the link between parental personality and child behaviour (Nigg & Hinshaw, 1998;Orri et al, 2019), other studies did not find evidence of such moderation (Prinzie et al, 2005a).…”

“…The three latent parental ANPS profiles were low negative emotions (lower levels of ANGER, SADNESS, and FEAR, greater levels of PLAY, SEEKING and CARE), balanced (average levels of all subscales) and high emotional (greater levels of ANGER, SADNESS, FEAR and CARE) (Orri et al, 2019). When considering direct associations between parental ANPS profiles and parent-reported child behaviours, Orri et al (2019) found that mothers in the high emotional ANPS profile reported greater internalising behaviours in their sons and more externalising behaviours in their daughters. In addition, mothers in the low negative emotions ANPS profile had sons with fewer internalising behaviours.…”

“…Furthermore, higher scores on maternal conscientiousness have been linked to more positive parenting practices such as limit setting, which were associated with lower levels of externalising behaviours in early adolescence (Oliver et al, 2009). In addition to assessing direct pathways, Orri et al (2019) assessed the mediating effect of harsh parenting practices on the association between parental ANPS profiles and child internalising and externalising behaviour. Parenting practices and personality were measured when children were four years of age, after which parent-reported child behaviours were measured at seven to eight years of age.…”

Children’s trichotillomania for parents: self-blame and trichotillomania knowledge are linked to expressed emotion

“…Firstly, only mothers were included in analysis due to the lack of paternal participation. Thus, results might not be generalisable to (Orri et al, 2019;Psychogiou et al, 2017).…”