The mediating role of parenting in relationship between parent hostility and adolescent externalizing behavior problems

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between parent hostility and adolescent externalizing behavior problems and the mediating role of parenting. Methods The cross-sectional data of 4474 adolescent aged 10-21 of the National Survey of Adolescent Mental Health in China (2008) was used. Adolescents reported their externalizing problems and parents’ parenting. Parents reported their hostile behaviors. Results ① Parent hostility((9.18±3.56) , (8.94±3.18)) significantly correlated with monitoring, inductive reasoning, harshness of parenting(father(3.39±1.16), (3.21±1.02), (1.39±0.62) respectively, r=-0.108~0.489, P<0.01; mother (3.96±0.97), (3.38±0.96), (1.37±0.60) respectively, r=-0.148~0.468, P<0.01); and both parent hostility and parenting were significantly associated with adolescent externalizing problems(0.23±0.21)(r=-0.308~0.577, P<0.01). ②Parental monitoring, inductive reasoning and harshness discipline partially mediated the relations between parent hostility and adolescent externalizing problems(Z=6.12, 5.10, 6.36, P<0.01; Z=5.86, 6.97, 11.84, P<0.01). Conclusion Parenting partially mediated the effect between parent hostility and adolescent externalizing problems. Key words: Parent hostility; Parenting; Externalizing behavior problems; Adolescents; Mediator