Leiden University Student Repository

Voss, Daniëlle (2025)

Gender als Moderator in de Relatie Tussen Fysiek Disciplineren, Parental Support en Externaliserend Probleemgedrag in de Context van Kindermishandeling

Master thesis | Education and Child Studies (MSc)

Despite extensive research on parenting and child behavior, little is known about how specific parenting practices affect children growing up in families with a history of maltreatment. This study examined associations between physical discipline, parental support, and externalizing problem behavior, and explored whether gender moderated these relationships. The sample consisted of 40 parent-child pairs referred to Dutch family residential clinics. Parenting behavior and children’s externalizing problem behavior were assessed through observations and standardized questionnaires. Moderation analyses were performed in SPSS using PROCESS. Results confirm that higher levels of physical discipline are associated with more externalizing problem behavior, consistent with previous meta-analytic and longitudinal research. Parental support, although negatively related to externalizing behavior in the expected direction, did not reach statistical significance. Contrary to expectations, gender...Show moreDespite extensive research on parenting and child behavior, little is known about how specific parenting practices affect children growing up in families with a history of maltreatment. This study examined associations between physical discipline, parental support, and externalizing problem behavior, and explored whether gender moderated these relationships. The sample consisted of 40 parent-child pairs referred to Dutch family residential clinics. Parenting behavior and children’s externalizing problem behavior were assessed through observations and standardized questionnaires. Moderation analyses were performed in SPSS using PROCESS. Results confirm that higher levels of physical discipline are associated with more externalizing problem behavior, consistent with previous meta-analytic and longitudinal research. Parental support, although negatively related to externalizing behavior in the expected direction, did not reach statistical significance. Contrary to expectations, gender did not moderate the effects of physical discipline or parental support. These findings highlight the impact of physical discipline and underline the importance of strengthening supportive parenting in high-risk families. In clinical contexts marked by chronic stress and trauma, gender differences may be less evident, underscoring the need for context-sensitive prevention and intervention.Show less

Child behavior

child maltreatment

externalizing problem behavior

gender differences

moderation analysis

parental support

parenting practices

physical discipline

Author

Voss, Daniëlle

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Forensische Gezinspedagogiek

Supervisors

Geel, M. van

ECTS Credits

20

Language

nl