Parental Aggravation, Parenting Behaviors, Child Self-Control and Externalizing Problems in Singapore: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Sample

Abstract

Parental aggravation and negative parenting are associated with more child behavioral problems. However, few studies have simultaneously examined the multiple dimensions of parenting behaviors, and extant studies that examined the mediating effects of parental punishment and warmth simultaneously have shown inconsistent results. This study aims to explore the mediating roles of multidimensional parenting behaviors in the association between parental aggravation and child externalizing problems, as well as the serial mediating effect of child self-control among young children in Singaporean from a nationally representative sample. The sample included 3,964 children (Mean age = 3.43 years; 49.82% girls) from the Wave 1 (2018–2019) and Wave 2 (2020–2021) of the Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study (SG-LEADS). A serial mediation model was employed in the analysis. We found that parenting behaviors and child self-control sequentially mediated the relationship between parental aggravation and child externalizing problems. Moreover, both negative and positive parenting behaviors functioned as mediators in this relationship. This study significantly contributes to the existing literature on parenting and child development by simultaneously examining parental aggravation, parenting behaviors, child self-control, and child externalizing problems in an Asian context. Findings encouraged early intervention programs to not only reduce parental stress and enhance parenting skills, but also foster positive child outcomes.