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. 2019 Nov:57:101323.
doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.04.005. Epub 2019 May 16.

Interaction between maternal and paternal parenting styles with infant temperament in emerging behavior problems

Shannon M O Wittig  1 , Christina M Rodriguez  2
Affiliations

Interaction between maternal and paternal parenting styles with infant temperament in emerging behavior problems

Shannon M O Wittig et al. Infant Behav Dev. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

This study examined the interaction effects of infant temperament (negative affect, orienting/regulatory capacity, surgency) on the relationship between maternal and paternal parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive) and externalizing and internalizing behaviors simultaneously. A diverse sample of mothers (N = 186) and fathers (N = 142) reported on infant temperament of their 6-month-olds and their children's internalizing and externalizing behaviors one year later. Significant interactions revealed: (a) surgency moderated maternal authoritative and paternal permissive parenting style and externalizing behaviors; and (b) surgency moderated maternal authoritarian and paternal authoritative parenting style and internalizing behaviors. No significant interactions were found between maternal and paternal parenting styles and their report of their infants' orienting/regulatory capacity and negative affect. Findings suggest interaction effects may appear beginning in infancy.

Keywords: Externalizing behavior problems; Infant temperament; Internalizing behavior problems; Longitudinal; Moderation; Parenting styles.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Hypothesized path model examining whether temperament moderates the relationship between parenting styles and toddlers’ externalizing and internalizing behaviors (T2).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
The interaction between maternal authoritative parenting and surgency in predicting toddlers’ externalizing behaviors. * indicates statistical significance (p < .05).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The interactions between maternal authoritarian parenting and surgency in predicting toddlers’ internalizing behaviors. * indicates statistical significance (p < .05).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
The interactions between maternal and paternal authoritative parenting style and surgency in predicting toddlers’ internalizing behaviors. * indicates statistical significance (p < .05).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
The interactions between maternal and paternal permissive parenting and surgency in predicting toddlers’ externalizing behaviors. * indicates statistical significance (p < .05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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