Parental factors in the development of child internalizing and externalizing symptoms

Schmuelling, Nina Charlotte (2022) Parental factors in the development of child internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Research has demonstrated that paternal depression, and in particular paternal hostility caused by depression, can negatively impact children. Mothers, however, may be a potential protective factor in the relationship between paternal depression, paternal hostility, and child behavior outcomes. Some child wellbeing studies have demonstrated a positive influence of maternal warmth on the child. However, the direct impact of maternal warmth on child behavior outcomes in families where the father is hostile due to depression has not been investigated. Thus, the current study focuses on how maternal warmth may protect children with fathers who are hostile due to depression. To answer the research question, path analyses were conducted using a sample of 478 culturally diverse families from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study, a longitudinal study of families across the U.S. Data from year three on paternal depression, maternal warmth, and paternal hostility was collected by the original study team and was analyzed in this study along with child behavior problem data from year nine. Multiple path analyses were used to determine model fit and the strength of the direct and indirect paths of paternal depression and paternal hostility on child externalizing and internalizing behavior problems. Results could not support the hypotheses as paternal depression was uncorrelated with all other factors. While paternal hostility significantly predicted child externalizing alone, it become non-significant after maternal warmth was added to the model. Maternal warmth was the only factor that significantly influenced externalizing symptoms for girls but not for boys. The goal of this study was to contribute insight into the intricate relationship between paternal depression and child outcomes and to investigate whether maternal warmth is an important protective factor for these children. This study confirms the importance of maternal warmth in reducing child externalizing for girls regardless of whether the father is hostile or depressed. Limitations, strengths, and future directions are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement:	© Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords:	child internalizing; child externalizing; parental hostility; depression; maternal warmth; child behavior
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
MeSH Subjects:	F Psychiatry and Psychology > F04 Behavioral Disciplines and Activities
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status:	Student
Department/Unit:	Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations College of Social and Behavioral Science > Psychological Sciences
Date Deposited:	31 May 2023 17:35
Last Modified:	31 May 2023 17:35
URI:	https://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/5930

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