Effect of Sexual Maturation, Parenting Attitude and Maturity Fear on Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Elementary School Girls

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the sexual maturation, parenting attitude, maturity fear and emotional and behavioral problems of girls in elementary school, and to examine the relation between these variables and factors that influence emotional and behavioral problems. Methods: Participants were 128 second, third and fourth year students from 3 elementary schools. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: Emotional and behavioral problems were related to eating rate, eating breakfast, frequency of late-night snacks and main communicator on pubertal development. Emotional and behavioral problems showed a positive correlation with maturity fear and father’s parenting attitude (strictness) and a negative correlation with parenting attitude and father’s parenting attitude (intimacy). Maturity fear, father’s parenting attitude, eating breakfast, and main communicator on pubertal development had significant influence on emotional and behavioral problems of girls in elementary school. Conclusion: Findings show that for effective management of emotional and behavioral problems in elementary school girls, programs including coping with maturity fear, supportive parenting of father, diet education, and functional communication with mother on pubertal development should be developed.

Keywords

• Sexual maturation
• Parenting
• Fear
• Problem behavior