兒童問題行為、父母衝突與母親心理困擾之關係

Abstract

Background: Previous studies conducted to demonstrate the association between children's behavioral problems, inter-parental conflict, and maternal psychological distress have reported mixed findings. This paper examines the relationships between these three factors. Methods: School children were interviewed to complete a questionnaire regarding inter-parental conflict and their own behavioral problems, and their parents were requested to fill out the Chinese Health Questionnaire at home. A total of 2,218 first graders and 2,075 fourth graders completed the study. Results: Higher inter-parental conflict was significantly associated with more externalizing and internalizing behavioral problems for children in both grades. It also showed that fourth-grade girls were more likely than fourth-grade boys to have internalizing problems, but that boys as a whole were more likely than girls to have externalizing behavioral problems. Maternal psychological distress was not significantly predictive of children’s behavioral problems. Conclusions: Compared to maternal psychological distress, gender and exposure to inter-parental conflict appears to have a greater influence on children’s behavioral problems.