Externalizing and internalizing problems: contributions of attachment and parental practices

Abstract

The relation between attachment and parental practices with externalizing (aggression and delinquency) and internalizing (social withdrawal and anxiety/depression) behavioral problems were investigated in this study. Participants were 289 children (from 9 to 12 years old) and 205 caregivers who answered distinct questionnaires: the formers on attachment and the later on parental practices. Results indicated that poor maternal attachment relationships, high levels of parental rejection and being a boy predicted aggression. Moreover, poor paternal attachment and father's low education predicted social withdrawal. Finally, parental rejection was marginally associated with anxiety/depression. The results reinforce, partially, the existing literature and help to understand the complex relationship between parenting and behavioral problems.

Keywords

• Problemas externalizantes
• problemas internalizantes
• apego
• rejeição
• controle parental