Background: Little research has been done about the mother’s psychopathology as an umbrella term and the possible connection with behavioral problems the child may have. There is also only so much...Show moreBackground: Little research has been done about the mother’s psychopathology as an umbrella term and the possible connection with behavioral problems the child may have. There is also only so much research about the possible difference in perspective on behavioral problems of the child according to the mother and according to the social worker. The aim of this study is to examine to what extent there is a connection between the psychopathology of the mother and the behavioral problems of the child reported by the mother and reported by the involved social worker. Method: The research has been administered to fourteen mother-child pairs in a shelter for women and their involved social workers. During three research visits the mothers has been asked to fill out the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) regarding the mother’s psychopathology and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) regarding the behavioral problems of the child according to the mother. During these three visits the involved social worker has been asked to fill out the Teacher’s Report Form (TRF) regarding the behavioral problems of the child according to the involved social worker. Results: The results indicate no significant difference between the behavioral problems of the child reported by the mother and the behavioral problems of the child reported by the involved social worker (T1: Z = -.30, p = .77; T2: Z= -1.84, p = .07). Other results indicate a significant relationship between the mother’s psychopathology and the behavioral problems of the child reported by the mother during the first research visit (Rs = .65, p<.05), but a non- significant relationship during the second research visit (Rs = .41, p = .21). Results also show no significant relationship between the mother’s psychopathology and the behavioral problems of the child reported by the involved social worker (T1: Rs = -.10, p = .80; T2: Rs = .03, p = .92). Conclusion: The behavioral problems of the child reported by the mother and the involved social worker do not differ. Also, there is no unambiguous result when it comes to the relationship between the mother’s psychopathology and the behavioral problems that are reported by the mother. Since there is a positive and not positive relationship measured. Lastly, the results do not show a positive effect of the mother’s psychopathology on the behavioral problems of the child reported by the social worker.Show less
Research master thesis | Developmental Psychopathology in Education and Child Studies (research) (MSc)
open access
2020-08-10T00:00:00Z
Child factors and contextual factors collectively contribute to the development of (externalizing) behavioral problems. Individual cognition and beliefs are of influence on this interplay. The...Show moreChild factors and contextual factors collectively contribute to the development of (externalizing) behavioral problems. Individual cognition and beliefs are of influence on this interplay. The current study focused on the influence of perceived self-competence on the negative relationship between intelligence (as an important child factor) and externalizing behavioral problems. It was hypothesized that the four aspects of perceived self-competence (cognitive, social, physical and general self-worth) fulfill mediating or moderating roles in the negative relationship between intelligence and externalizing behavioral problems. The sample consisted of 117 children (27 girls, 90 boys) aged 6-14 years old (M = 9.67, SD = 1.65). Intelligence was measured using the Total IQ score of the WISC-IIINL, perceived self-competence was measured using the Competentie Belevingsschaal voor Kinderen, and externalizing behavioral problems were measured using the Externalizing Problem Score of the Teacher’s Report Form. The presence of a negative relationship between intelligence and externalizing behavioral problems was confirmed through a Pearson correlation (r (116) = -.524, p <.001). In addition, a significant, negative association was found between the cognitive aspect of perceived self-competence and externalizing behavioral problems (r (104) = -.273, p <.01). No other associations were found, ruling out the possibility of the aspects of perceived self-competence fulfilling mediating or moderating roles in the relationship between intelligence and externalizing behavioral problems. However, the results of the current study have led to interesting insights, which can be implemented during the development of specifically targeted interventions in order to reduce externalizing behavioral problems.Show less
