Predictors of positive and negative parenting behaviours: evidence from the ALSPAC cohort

Abstract

BackgroundThis study aimed to establish the predictors of positive and negative parenting behaviours in a United Kingdom population. The majority of previous research has focused on specific risk factors and has used a variety of outcome measures. This study used a single assessment of parenting behaviours and started with a wide range of potential pre- and post-natal variables; such an approach might be used to identify families who might benefit from parenting interventions.MethodsUsing a case-control subsample of 160 subjects from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), regression analysis was undertaken to model parenting behaviours at 12 months as measured by the Mellow Parenting Observational System.ResultsPositive parenting increased with maternal age at delivery, levels of education and with prenatal anxiety. More negative interactions were observed among younger mothers, mothers with male infants, with prenatal non-smokers and among mothers who perceived they had a poor support structure.ConclusionsThis study indicates two factors which may be important in identifying families most at risk of negative parenting: younger maternal age at delivery and lack of social support during pregnancy. Such factors could be taken into account when planning provision of services such as parenting interventions. We also established that male children were significantly more likely to be negatively parented, a novel finding which may suggest an area for future research. However the findings have to be accepted cautiously and have to be replicated, as the measures used do not have established psychometric validity and reliability data.

Children’s Bonding with Parents and Grandparents and Its Associated Factors

“…We found that boys scored higher on their perceived parental and grandparental Indifference and Overprotection , and than did girls, which was inconsistent with previous findings that girls more than boys experienced their parents as demanding (a close relative of Overprotection) and boys experienced their parents as more intrusive (contrary to higher Indifference) (Thomson et al 2014; Elstad and Stefansen 2014). Furthermore, girls perceived more grandparental overprotection in our study, inconsistent with a previous study that showed granddaughters had closer relationships with their grandparents (Hyde and Gibbs 1993).…”

“…Early studies found gender differences in parent-child relationships and parenting behaviors. Thomson et al (2014) found that mothers with female infants had fewer negative interactions with them. Further, Elstad and Stefansen (2014) showed that more girls experienced their parents as being demanding than did boys, while boys experienced their parents being more intrusive.…”

“…Similarly, we expected these same variables to be correlated to parental bonding and grandparental bonding in China, which, in turn, may further benefit children’s outcomes. In addition, researchers have found that low levels of parental education were associated with children’s perceptions that parents are neglectful and intrusive (Elstad and Stefansen 2014), whereas higher levels of maternal education were associated with an increased rate of positive interactions (Thomson et al 2014). However, the relationship between sociodemographic factors and bonding with parents and grandparents as a whole is still unclear, especially in Chinese people who are facing the special one-child policy and modern socioeconomic changes.…”

Decision Making Styles: A Systematic Review of Their Associations with Parenting

“…The effects of these approaches of parenting are important because they have implications on development throughout the lifespan (Thomson et al 2014). A number of parenting approaches exist in the literature (Wood et al 2003;Aunola and Nurmi 2005) that were categorized into positive and negative parenting approaches for the purposes of this review.…”

“…Parenting has a number of interacting factors (such as personal stresses or societal demands) that could play a role in their approaches to parenting (Belsky 1984;Thomson et al 2014). Of interest have been the effects of parenting on the development of parent-child relationships (Aunola and Nurmi 2005;Chan and Koo 2011;Betts et al 2013;Arnett 2014).…”