Date of Award

Spring 2022

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Dr. Sara S. Jordan

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Dr. Bonnie C. Nicholson

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Dr. Kristy D. McRaney

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Abstract

Due to the high prevalence rates of child behavioral problems, considerable research has focused on factors that contribute to child behavioral problems. Parenting inflexibility has been shown to relate to child internalizing and externalizing behaviors through ineffective parenting practices. However, child routines, another related yet distinct parenting behavior, has yet to be explored in this relationship. The primary purpose of this study was to examine parenting practices and child routines as mediators of the relationship between parenting inflexibility and child behavioral outcomes. Mothers of school-aged children (N = 157) were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and completed self-report measures of parenting inflexibility and parenting practices and parent-report measures of child routines, internalizing behaviors, and externalizing behaviors. Ordinary least squares regression models indicated that negative parenting practices partially mediated the relationship between parenting inflexibility and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors (separately). Alternative models were also supported when the predictor and mediator were reversed, suggesting a bidirectional relationship between negative parenting practices and parenting inflexibility. Contrary to hypotheses, positive parenting practices and child routines (independently) did not mediate the relationship between parenting inflexibility and child internalizing behaviors (or externalizing behaviors). Significant results from this study suggest that parenting inflexibility may be displayed through negative parenting practices, resulting in child internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Moreover, parenting inflexibility and negative parenting practices (i.e., poor monitoring/supervision, inconsistent discipline, and corporal punishment) may be important targets for interventions to prevent or reduce child behavioral problems.

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