Mother-Child Conflict Interaction in the Toddler Years: Behavior Patterns and Correlates

Abstract

We examined mother-child (M-C) conflict behavior during the toddler years. The nature of M-C conflict behaviors, whether conflict behavior differed by context, and factors that were associated with conflict interactions were examined. We used data collected as part of the National Evaluation of the Healthy Steps for Young Children Program. 378 M-C dyads participated in this study. Videotaped observational data at 16-18 months were used to code conflict behaviors using an event recording method. Results showed that M-C conflict were more likely to be initiated by the mothers and that conflict interactions were influenced by context of interaction, family, maternal, and child temperamental factors. In this study, we provide a foundation for understanding parent-child conflict interaction prior to age two.Mother-child (M-C) conflict interactions are common among mother-child dyads. As children's social, motor, language, and cognitive abilities develop during toddlerhood, and the maternal role changes (e.g., becomes increasingly oriented toward preventing childhood injury and teaching culturally appropriate behaviors), children's defiant behaviors and M-C K. Huang ( )

The Importance of Early, Targeted Intervention: The Effect of Family, Maternal, and Child Characteristics on the Use of Physical Discipline

“…Consistent with previous research, knowledge of human growth and development is a protective factor (Bolen et al, 2008;Huang et al, 2006). Understanding child development at 14 months was significantly related to reported use of discipline.…”

“…Mothers who were unrealistic about what a child of a particular age should be able to do were more likely Downloaded by [Columbia University] at 11:19 08 December 2014 to attribute difficult child behaviors to intentional, hostile acts by the child (Bolen, McWey, & Schlee, 2008). "Maternal factors such as maternal knowledge of child development might also be associated with maternal response to mother-child conflict" (Huang, Teti, Caughy, Feldstein, & Genevro, 2006) leading to less sensitive parenting among mothers with less exposure to childrearing information. Holden, Miller, and Harris (1999) found that mothers who spank young children believe it will lead to immediate compliance and improved behavior over the long term.…”

Analyzing the Relationship Between Self-Efficacy Perception of Mothers and Their Communication With Their Preschool Children

“…Children who are exposed to these behaviors exhibit more non-compliant behaviors (Braungart-Rieker, Garwood, & Stifter, 1997). When looking at the reasons of conflicts between mothers and their children, it was found that conflict interactions were influenced by context of interaction, family, maternal, and child temperamental factors (Huang, Teti, Caughy, Feldstein, & Genevro, 2007). In addition, children's internalizing family values, positive strategies used in conflict resolution, and management of disappointments are other factors that have an impact on conflict process (Hoffman, 1983, as cited in Huang et al, 2007.…”

Estabilidade e mudança nas práticas educativas maternas e paternas ao longo dos anos pré-escolares da criança

“…O contexto de alimentação foi escolhido por se constituir em uma situação durante a qual tendem a ocorrer diversos impasses na interação com a criança (ex. : a criança pode se recusar a comer, não se comportar adequadamente ou querer sair da mesa), sendo, portanto, uma oportunidade rica para se examinar as práticas educativas comumente utilizadas pelas mães e pelos pais (Bastos, Zannon, & Alcântara, 2003;Crockenberg & Littman, 1990;Huang, Teti, Caughy, Feldstein, & Genevro, 2007). Já aos 72 meses de vida da criança, as famí-lias foram contatadas para uma nova coleta de dados, que consistiu em uma visita em suas residências, situação em que se reaplicou a Entrevista sobre Práticas Educativas Parentais, utilizada para reavaliar as práticas educativas utilizadas pelas mães e pelos pais.…”