Zur Entwicklung externalisierender Verhaltensprobleme im Übergang vom Vor- zum Grundschulalter: Risikoeffekte des mütterlichen und väterlichen Erziehungsverhaltens

This article presents cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the Erlangen-Nuremberg Prevention and Development Study. The data derive from surveys of parenting behavior and child behavior problems carried out with the parents of 448 preschool children aged 3-6 years. Results showed that correlations between single parenting scales and the development of problem behavior are, at best, only moderate. Factor analysis of the parenting variables resulted in two highly interpretable factors that both had marked correlations with problem behavior: engaged/ self-confident parenting and problematic discipline. Effects were particularly marked for problematic discipline factor and could be confirmed for both mothers and fathers. Further analyses also showed gender-specific and nonlinear effects for this factor over the course of development. Findings are discussed against the background of the current discussions on the significance of parenting behavior and cognitions as well as various methodological problems in this study.