Mothers' and Fathers' Discipline of Hard-to-Manage Toddlers

ABSTRACT

This study compares discipline strategies of mothers and fathers with hard-to-manage toddlers. Discipline strategies of 38 parents (19 couples) were assessed using both observational and self-report methods. Parents were observed interacting individually with their children in a structured laboratory situation, and parents completed a self-report measure of discipline. Both assessments indicate that mothers were more overreactive in their discipline than fathers, however no difference in lax parenting was found. Depression and time spent in child care tasks were examined as possible determinants of mothers' greater overreactivity.