Marriage, Parenting, and Preschoolers' Socioemotional Functioning
Frosch, Cynthia Ann
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/82222
Description
Title
Marriage, Parenting, and Preschoolers' Socioemotional Functioning
Author(s)
Frosch, Cynthia Ann
Issue Date
1997
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Mangelsdorf, Sarah C.
Department of Study
Psychology
Discipline
Psychology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Sociology, Individual and Family Studies
Language
eng
Abstract
This investigation examined the relations among marriage, parenting, and preschoolers' socio-emotional functioning. Ninety mothers, fathers, and their three-year-olds participated in this investigation. Mothers and fathers independently completed measures of their marital adjustment and their children's behavior problems. Families were subsequently visited in their homes and videotaped in a variety of semi-structured episodes. Observations of father-child, mother-child, and marital interaction were included. During the home visit, parents also completed the Attachment Q-set and the Conners questionnaire. Preschool teachers or daycare providers completed measures of the child's behavior problems and social behavior, and observers completed the Conners questionnaire. Results indicated that there were both direct and indirect effects of the marital relationship on preschooler's socio-emotional functioning, and that marital adjustment and marital behavior were differentially associated with preschoolers' functioning. Parents' reports of greater marital adjustment were associated with reports of fewer child internalizing and externalizing problems and greater security. These associations were not mediated by parenting behavior. However, parenting behavior mediated the associations among observed marital behavior and child security and externalizing problems. Specifically, maternal parenting behavior more consistently mediated the associations between marital conflict, positive marital engagement and child behavior than fathers' parenting. In addition, mothers' and fathers' parenting behaviors were differentially associated with teachers' or care providers' reports of children's social behavior. These results underscore the importance of assessing multiple relationships within families as influences on preschoolers' socio-emotional functioning.
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