Perceived stress and child behavior problems : the mediating role of conflict and closeness in parent-child relationship.

Research has shown that children with behavior problems are on a trajectory for increasingly detrimental outcomes. Thus, there is a need to investigate factors that contribute to the development and persistence of child behavior problems. This study examined two fundamental dimensions of parent-child relationship (conflict and closeness) as a mediator between parental perceived stress and child behavior problems. Parents of children aged 18 to 71 months were asked to complete the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL)/1.5-5., Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS). Mediation analyses were conducted and conflict was found to be a significant mediator between perceived stress and both externalizing and internalizing problems. However, contrary to expectations, closeness was not found to be a significant mediator. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings as well as limitations of the study were discussed.Bachelor of Art