Parenting and problem behaviors in children of substance abusing parents

Abstract

Background: This study examined parenting practices, parental stress, and problem behaviors among urban Children of Substance Abusing Parents.

Method: One hundred and seven children completed the Child Rating Scale and the Children's Depression Inventory. Parents completed the Parenting Practices Scale-Parent Version, Parenting Stress Index, and internalizing and externalizing scales on the Parent Observation of Classroom Adaptation.

Results: Structural Equation Modeling findings support an indirect effects pathway in which unfavorable parenting practices predict parental stress and parental stress predicts internalizing and externalizing behaviors.

Conclusion: The results argue for assessing parental stress and including activities to improve the parent-child bond in family intervention programs.

Keywords: Children of Substance Abusing Parents; at-risk youth; externalizing behaviors; internalizing behaviors; parent-child interactions; parental influences; parental stress; parenting; problem behaviors.