Parenting Techniques as a Mediator between Female Caregivers’ Internalizing Symptoms and Externalizing Behaviors among Preschool-aged Children

Behavior problems are commonly reported difficulties and one of the largest referral reasons parents seek therapeutic services for their child; thus, it is imperative to identify variables related to child behavior problems. The current study considered the mediating role of parenting techniques on the relation between primary female caregivers’ internalizing (i.e., anxiety and depression) symptoms and child externalizing behavior (i.e., hyperactivity, aggression, attention problems) among preschoolers. Participants included 153 parents with children enrolled in a Head Start program in small city/rural areas. Results suggested that inconsistent discipline partially mediated the relation between caregivers’ internalizing symptoms and child hyperactivity and aggression. Results also suggested that parental involvement partially mediated the relation between caregivers’ internalizing symptoms and child attention problems. These findings demonstrated a mediational role of inconsistent discipline and parental involvement between caregivers’ internalizing symptoms and child externalizing behavior and have implications for early intervention.