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Emotional and behavioural problems in primary school children from nuclear and extended families in Korea
H J Hwang1, I St James-Roberts
1Thomas Coram Research Unit, University of London, UK.
Insights
Children from extended families exhibit fewer behavioral issues. This study suggests extended family structures may foster resilience and reduce emotional and behavioral problems in children.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Sociology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Korean society is undergoing changes impacting family structures.
- Family structure's influence on child development is a key area of study.
- Emotional and behavioral problems in children are a significant concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of extended versus nuclear family structures on children's emotional and behavioral problems.
- To compare behavioral outcomes in children from different family structures in Korea.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Children's Behaviour Questionnaire to assess 7-13-year-old children in two Korean cities.
- Compared children from extended families with demographically matched nuclear family children (Study 1, N=326).
- Replicated findings with pair-matched children (Study 2, N=204) and conducted a 2.5-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- Children from extended families consistently showed lower behavior problem scores.
- The prevalence of serious behavioral problems was significantly lower in extended family children.
- Differences were most pronounced for externalizing behaviors and remained stable over time.
Conclusions:
- Extended family structures appear protective against emotional and behavioral problems in children.
- Grandparental involvement in extended families may enhance child resilience through support and knowledge transfer.
- Internalization of traditional values within extended families may contribute to preventing behavioral issues.
Abstract:
The changes occurring within Korean society provide an opportunity for studying the influence of family structure on children's emotional and behavioural problems. Children aged 7-13 years from two Korean cities were assessed for emotional and behavioural problems in school by their teachers, using the Children's Behaviour Questionnaire. In Study 1, 326 children from extended families were compared with demographically matched nuclear family children in the same school classes. In Study 2, a further sample of 204 extended family children was compared with pair-matched nuclear family children, in order to replicate the findings. Children from Study 1 were followed up 2.5 years later. Children from extended families had lower behaviour problems scores and the prevalence of serious problems was lower in extended family children. These differences were most marked in relation to externalising behaviour problems and were stable over the studies and time. Grandparents in extended families may increase children's resiliency by providing sources of attachment, affection, and knowledge, as well as having indirect effects through their support of parents. Consistent with recent ideas about the cognitive bases for behaviour problems, it may be that rules for behaviour derived from traditional cultural beliefs and values are internalised by children from extended families and generalise to prevent behaviour problems in school.