Externalizing Behavior Problems and Discipline Revisited: Nonlinear Effects and Variation by Culture, Context, and Gender

• DOI: 10.1207/s15327965pli0803_1
• Publication Date: 2006-03-20T16:56:47Z
• Authors: Kirby Deater-Deckard; Kenneth A. Dodge
• Keywords: Child discipline; Association (psychology); Variation (astronomy)

Abstract Debate continues regarding the magnitude and importance ofparenting effects on development of children's externalizing behavior problems, in spite evidence that environments (as well as genes) contribute to individual differences these behaviors. Research has demonstrated an association between harsh physical discipline child aggression conduct a likely causal mechanism probably operates shared environmental factor. We offer four hypotheses about relation practices problems may resolve some debate help lead toward more comprehensive understanding how when will make substantial difference: 1. The includes nonlinear component. 2. parent behavior-child link varies across cultural groups. 3. Parental children vary according context broader parent-child relationship. 4. effect is maximized same-gender dyads. Discussion focuses role mental representations experiences mediator effects, research implications with respect sampling, measurement, analytic strategies are noted.