Work

Relationships Between Child Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms and Caregiver Strain and Parenting Stress

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Children with emotional and behavioral disturbance often have difficulties in multiple symptom domains. This study investigates the relationships between child symptoms and caregiver strain and parenting stress among 177 youth and their caregivers participating in a school-based system of care. Youth were grouped by symptom domain and included those with low scores on both internalizing and externalizing symptoms, those with only high internalizing symptoms, those with only high externalizing symptoms, and those with high symptoms levels in both internalizing and externalizing domains. Results revealed significant group differences on measures of caregiver strain and parenting stress. Caregivers of youth with symptoms in both internalizing and externalizing domains reported the highest levels of strain and stress; however, there was some variation in group differences by caregiver outcome. The results of this study emphasize the importance of not only providing services for youth, but also providing support services for their caregivers.

Source: Journal of Family Issues

DOI: 10.1177/0192513x12440949

Authors: Ellen L. Vaughan, Richard Feinn, Stanley Bernard, Maria Brereton, Joy S. Kaufman

Institutions: Yale University, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University, Southern Connecticut State University, Connecticut Department of Children and Families

Language: English

Topic: Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse