Parental practices of mothers and fathers and the intensity of externalising disorders’ symptoms among children at school age

The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between the intensity of symptoms of attention deficit, impulsiveness/hyperactivity, and oppositional or rebellious behaviours among school-age children and the practices undertaken by their parents. The participants were 103 mothers and 69 fathers. They were the parents of 108 children aged between 8–11 years old. In the study the questionnaires were used, among others the Polish version of The Alabama Parenting Questionnaire. The results point to a relationship between the intensity of oppositional or rebellious behaviours and more frequent negative practices implemented by mothers and also less frequent positive parental activities. Among the fathers’ group no such strong trends occurred, although fathers were more likely to use an incoherent discipline and a corporal punishment when the intensity of oppositional or rebellious behaviours of their children increased. Also, a relationship between an incoherent discipline and a weak control performed by mothers, with a higher intensity of attention deficit and impulsiveness/hyperactivity among their children emerged. No such relationship emerged among fathers. In accordance with the previous research, the current results suggest a stronger relationship between the actions taken by parents with the intensity of the oppositional or rebellious behaviours than with the intensity of attention deficit and impulsiveness/hyperactivity symptoms of children.