Parenting practices and internalising symptoms in children: the role of victimisation and behavioural inhibition through complex moderated-mediation models

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research has linked parenting practices to the development of internalising symptoms in children. However, parenting practices cannot fully explain the evolution of internalising symptoms, as other factors seem to influence this process. Two specific factors identified in separate lines of research are victimisation and child behavioural inhibition. The current study examined moderated-mediation models to investigate the respective effects of victimisation and behavioural inhibition on the relationship between parenting practices and internalising symptoms. The study included 374 children and their parents. The children completed the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, the Behavioural Inhibition Instrument, and the Parental Bonding Instrument. Their parents completed the Child Behaviour Checklist. The study results highlighted that behavioural inhibition moderates the mediating effect of victimisation on the relationship between parenting practices and internalising symptoms. The study findings contribute to the existing literature and advance our understanding of children’s internalising symptoms development.