Longitudinal Developmental Paths of Preschooler’s External Problem Behaviors: Focusing on Maternal Depression, Marital Conflict, Maternal Social Parenting Style and Preschooler’s Effortful Control in Infancy

Abstract

This study explored the longitudinal developmental paths of preschooler’s external problem behaviors from infancy. Subjects consisted of 205 preschoolers (106 boys, 99 girls aged 4) and their mothers recruited for the 2009 indepth Panel Study on Korean Children. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, correlations, and structural equation modeling using SPSS 18.0 (SPSS Co., Chicago, IL, USA), Amos 18.0 (SPSS Co., Chicago, IL, USA). The results were as follows: Maternal depression at preschooler's age 0 had a direct effect on maternal social parenting style at preschooler's age 0. Maternal social parenting style at preschooler's age 0 had a direct effect on preschooler’s effortful control at age 1. Preschooler's effortful control at age 1 had a direct effect on preschooler’s external problem behaviors at age 4. Marital conflict at preschooler’s age 0 did not have a direct effect on preschooler’s effortful control at age 1. The direct effects of maternal depression at preschooler's age 0 on preschooler’s effortful control at age 1, and on preschooler’s external problem behaviors at age 4 were not significant. In addition, direct effect of maternal social parenting style at preschooler’s age 0 on preschooler’s external problem behaviors at age 4 was not significant. This study showed that maternal psychological characteristics, marital conflict, maternal social parenting style and preschooler's effortful control in infancy should be considered simultaneously to explain the effect on preschooler’s external problem behaviors. Keywords: preschooler’s external problem behaviors, maternal depression, marital conflict, maternal social parenting style, effortful control in infancy