Children's attributions in the family: The children's relationship attribution measure

This study assessed children's attributions in parent-child relationships, examined their association with relationship positivity and behavior displa yed toward the parent, determined whether depressive symptoms account for t hese associations, and investigated whether parent and child attributions a re Linked. Ten- to 12-year-old children (116 girls, 116 boys) completed sev eral questionnaires and were observed during parent-child interactions. Chi ldren's attributions for parent behavior were related to positivity of the parent-child relationship and to self- and parent-reported conflict and obs erved behavior with the father. These associations were not due to children 's depressive symptoms but potentially augment our understanding of the eff ect of depression on parent-child relationships. Finally, gender moderated the parent attribution-child attribution association. The results underscor e the importance of children's perceptions of family processes.