A Community Study of Association between Parenting Dimensions and Externalizing Behaviors

Vandana Sharma, PhD , Gurpreet K Sandhu, MA Address for Correspondence: Dr Vandana Sharma (Head), Department of Psychology, Punjabi University Patiala. Patiala 147002, Punjab, India. Email:sandhupreeti19@yahoo.com ______________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Background: Association between parenting dimensions and externalizing behaviors in children was examined. Method: Data on children from the middle class families of Patiala (N=240) were collected from schools and families. Parents completed questionnaires on parenting dimensions and externalizing behaviors of children. Results: Analysis of variance of externalizing behaviors indicated significant mean differences for gender and age on aggression and conduct disorders. Analysis of variance for parenting variables indicated significant differences for age and gender on indulgence, punitive, physical coercion, and verbal hostility parenting dimensions. Correlations between non reasoning, verbal hostility, physical coercion, autonomy and indulgence parenting dimensions and externalizing behaviors were significantly positive whereas regulation and connection parenting dimensions showed a significant negative correlation with externalizing behaviors. Multiple regression analysis of parenting dimensions to each externalizing behaviors showed that autonomy, non reasoning and indulgence parenting dimensions predicted externalizing behaviors. Conclusions: Parenting significantly influences externalizing behaviors in children