Psychopathology and Parenting Practices of Parents of Preschool Children With Behavior Problems

Abstract

Objective . This study investigated associations among different types of parental psychopathology and several specific parenting practices. Design . Mothers (n = 182) and fathers (n = 126) of preschool-aged children with behavior problems completed questionnaires assessing parental psychopathology and parenting practices and participated in observed parent–child interactions. Results . Maternal depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and several different personality disorder traits were related to maternal negativity, laxness, and lack of warmth. Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal, and borderline personality disorder symptoms predicted mothers' parenting practices, even when statistically controlling for other types of psychopathology. For fathers, those same symptoms, dependent and avoidant symptoms, and substance abuse symptoms were associated with self-reported lax parenting. Some evidence emerged that psychopathology in one parent was associated with less overreactivity in the other. Conclusions . Many aspects of parents' psychological functioning play a role in determining specific parenting practices, including personality disorder symptoms.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grant R01MH60132. The authors are grateful to the families who participated in this study and staff from physicians' offices and community centers who assisted in recruiting families. The authors also thank the many graduate and undergraduate research assistants who assisted with data collection and to Aline Sayer who provided statistical consultation.