Maternal characteristics,ratings of child behavior,and mother-child interactions in families of children with externalizing disorders

Relationships among maternal characteristics, ratings of child behavior, and observed mother-child interactions were examined in a sample of 40 4- to 12-year-old children with externalizing disorders. Mothers and children were observed in a task interaction and mothers provided self-reports of depressed mood, parenting self-esteem, marital satisfaction, social support, and life stress. Child behavior was rated by both mothers and teachers. Several significant correlations were found among observed mother and child behaviors and among maternal self-report measures. However, few significant relationships were found between maternal characteristics and observed mother or child behavior. Although life stress predicted increased child negativity, maternal depressed mood was related to more appropriate child behavior. Mother and teacher ratings of child behavior demonstrated few significant relationships with other measures. These results suggest that, in samples comprised primarily of children with attention deficit disorder from socially advantaged families, few relationships exist between maternal characteristics, parenting behavior, and child behavior.This study was part of a doctoral dissertation conducted by the first author at Florida State University, under the direction of the second author, and supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Portions of the data also appear in a chapter by Johnston titled A behavioral-family systems approach to assessment: Maternal characteristics associated with externalizing behavior in children. In R. Prinz (Ed.),Behavioral assessment of children and families (Vol. 4, pp. 163–189). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press. The authors express appreciation to Alan Lang, Barbara Licht, and Richard Tate, for their thoughtful comments. We are grateful to Beverley Atkeson and a dedicated group of coders and to Dr. C. E. Cunningham and the staff of the Chedoke Child and Family Center for their support. Finally, our thanks to the families who participated.