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Associations between maternal childrearing cognitions and conduct problems in young children

Paul G Jefferis1, Chris Oliver

  • 1Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, London, UK. pjefferis@tavi-port.nhs.uk

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
|November 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Mothers with ineffective parenting cognitions showed higher scores on the Parental Childrearing Cognitions Questionnaire (PCCQ). Childhood experiences of low care and high overprotection were linked to these parenting cognitions.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Ineffective parenting practices are linked to child conduct problems.
  • Parenting cognitions play a crucial role in maternal childrearing.
  • Intergenerational transmission of parenting styles warrants further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine maternal childrearing cognitions associated with ineffective parenting.
  • To investigate the intergenerational transmission of parenting problems and cognitions.
  • To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Parental Childrearing Cognitions Questionnaire (PCCQ).

Main Methods:

  • Seventy-four mothers of 3-5-year-old boys (clinical and control groups) completed the PCCQ, Revised Rutter Parent Scale, and Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI).
  • The PCCQ's internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed.
  • Correlational analyses examined relationships between parenting cognitions, child behavior problems, and childhood experiences.

Main Results:

  • Mothers of children with conduct problems scored significantly higher on the PCCQ.
  • PCCQ scores correlated significantly with child behavior problem scores.
  • Mothers in the clinical group reported lower care and higher overprotection in their own childhoods.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood experiences of low care and high overprotection may predispose mothers to dysfunctional parenting cognitions.
  • These cognitions can impair a mother's ability to respond sensitively to challenging child behaviors.
  • Findings support a model of intergenerational transmission of parenting problems.

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