The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that family economic distress, paternal depression, marital relationship, and parenting style have on problem behaviors in young children and to present the program which can reduce problem behavior...
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that family economic distress, paternal depression, marital relationship, and parenting style have on problem behaviors in young children and to present the program which can reduce problem behaviors in young children. This study was based on the previous literature while the theoretical model was specified, estimated, and evaluated for adequacy of statistical fit for samples of 344 fathers whose young children were attending kindergartens which were located Cheongju city, and questionnaires were used for data analysis. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, frequency, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation, t-test, and F-test through using SPSS 12.0 program, and path model was analyzed by using AMOS 7.0 program.
The results of this study were as follows:
First, there were statistically significant differences in family economic distress, paternal depression, marital relationship, parenting style and problem behaviors in young children according to the general background. Family economic distress was shown to be different according to educational background of both father and spouse, and family's monthly income. Paternal depression and marital relationship were found to be different according to family's monthly income. Parenting style was not revealed to be different according to general background. The internalizing problem behavior of young children was not proven to be different according to general background while their externalizing problem behavior was shown to be different according to their gender.
Second, it showed that family economic distress had a direct effect on paternal depression and marital relationship and had a indirect effect on parenting style, internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in young children through the paternal depression and marital relationship.
Third, it found that paternal depression had a direct effect on marital relationship, parenting style, internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in young children and had a indirect effect on parenting style, internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in young children mediated by the marital relationship and also had a indirect effect on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in young children through the controlling parenting style.
Fourth, it indicated that marital relationship had a direct effect on parenting style, internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in young children and had a indirect effect on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in young children mediated by the controlling parenting style.
Fifth, the controlling parenting style appeared to have a direct effect on internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors in young children.
Sixth, the direct effect that family economic distress had on controlling parenting style was not statistically meaningful as expected.
Seventh, there were six paths where family economic distress had effects on problem behaviors in young children mediated by paternal depression, marital relationship, parenting style. Among them, the path where family economic distress had a indirect effect on problem behaviors in young children through the paternal depression and marital relationship appeared to be the most influential.
In conclusion, for the relative influence that family economic distress, paternal depression, marital relationship, parenting style had on problem behaviors in young children, paternal depression appeared to be the most important determinant, that is, paternal depression appeared to be the most impact on young children's problem behaviors.