INTERACTIONAL PROCESSES IN FAMILIES WITH DISRUPTIVE BOYS - PATTERNS OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT INFLUENCE

Patterns of direct and indirect influence were investigated in interac tions among 44 families with disruptive boys. Positive and negative be haviors were assessed for spouses and parent-child dyads, in different laboratory situations. For direct or reciprocal influence positive be haviors in the father-child dyads were positively correlated; mothers' positive behaviors were positively correlated with boys' negative beh aviors, suggesting an unexpected pattern of ''inverse reciprocity.'' F or indirect influences, the following associations were found: Fathers ' negative behaviors toward their children predicted the children's ne gative behaviors toward their mothers, and mothers' negative behaviors toward their children predicted the children's negative behaviors tow ard their fathers, suggesting a form of setting event or displaced beh avior pattern. The children's negative behaviors toward their mothers correlated with the fathers' behaviors toward the mothers, suggesting a modeling pattern. These indirect paths underline the relevance of ta king into account family interlocked relationships when studying child disruptiveness.