Positive Child Relationship Behavior Toward Mothers in 3–7-Year-Old Children with Mental Disorders

Abstract: Objective: A paucity of research exists on the subject of positive child relationship behavior toward parents, particularly in children with mental disorders. Method: We invited the mothers of children 3 to 7 years with mental disorders according to the ICD-10 to complete questionnaires on positive child relationship behavior, child behavior problems, maternal psychopathology, dysfunctional parenting, and maternal sense of competence. Results: 71 children (56 boys and 15 girls, mean age = 64.07 SD = 11.75 months with their mothers (mean age = 33.94 SD = 6.49 years) participated in this pilot study. Children with primarily internalizing disorders did not differ from the general population regarding the frequency of positive relationship-relevant behavior toward their mothers. Conversely, children with externalizing disorders and those with a residual diagnosis exhibited significantly lower frequencies of positive behavior toward their mothers. Dysfunctional parenting behavior and maternal psychopathology did not correlate with the frequency of children’s positive relationship behavior toward their mothers. However, maternal sense of competence correlated significantly positively with positive child relationship behavior. Conclusions: It is imperative to systematically assess positive child relationship behavior as perceived by their parents to obtain a more comprehensive perspective on the child.