Relationship between parenting and internalizing and externalizing problems: the mediating role of attachment

Abstract

Children emotional and behavioral problems have been a topic of increasing investigation due to its high stability and its role as a predictor to psychopathological disorders in adulthood. This study investigated the mediating role of attachment to the association between parenting practices externalizing problems (aggression and delinquency) and internalizing (social withdrawal and anxiety / depression). A total of 289 children (Mage = 10,5; SD = 0,77) answered the Security Scale, an instrument about parenting practices (PRRC) and the Child Behavior Checklist. The results indicated that the quality of maternal attachment played a mediating role on externalizing problems, but not on internalizing which emphasize the important role that attachment quality can play in the association between parenting practices and emotional and behavioral problems in childhood.

Keywords

• problemas externalizantes
• problemas internalizantes
• vínculo de apego
• práticas parentais