IMPACT OF FAMILY TYPE AND FAMILY QUALITY ON CHILD-BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS -A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

Objective: In the context of substantial changes in family types and e ven family quality in recent times, this study is concerned with the e xtent to which family type and quality impacts on child behavior probl ems. Method: A sample of 8,556 pregnant women were enrolled in a prosp ective, longitudinal study. Details of changes in family type and fami ly quality (assessed using Spanier Dyadic Adjustment Scale) were used to predict three second-order syndromes developed from the Child Behav ior Checklist and administered to the mothers when the child was 5 yea rs of age. Results: Mothers who experienced no partner changes (marrie d and single) reported the lowest rates of child behavior problems for the three syndromes used in this study. In addition, mothers who more often described their relationship with their partner as poor also re ported the highest rate of child behavior problems across all three sy ndromes. Adjustment for possible confounders did not alter these findi ngs. Conclusion: Both changes of partner and dyadic conflict appear to lead to child behavior problems, with the latter factor appearing to have a greater impact than the former. Mothers who experienced no part ner changes acid no conflict appeared to have children with the fewest behavior problems.