SYNOPSIS

Objective. Oppositional parent–child conflict interactions and inconsistent parenting practices have each been associated with more negative socioemotional outcomes for children. The current study aimed to identify groups of mother–child dyads based on average levels and variability in collaborative and oppositional conflict characteristics during a typical week. We also examined relations between conflict groups and child behaviors, maternal behaviors, and family demographic characteristics. Design. In a sample of 142 mothers of 5- to 8-year-old children, we assessed qualities of daily conflict interactions over one week via online parent reports. Results. Based on average levels of conflict collaboration and opposition, and variability in these qualities from one interaction to the next, we identified three mother–child conflict groups using latent profile analysis: temperate stable, negative volatile, and moderate. Temperate stable dyads included children who were older and displayed the least internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and included mothers who reported the least parenting distress. Conclusions. Distinct information was provided by variable-centered and person-centered analyses and inconsistencies in conflict characteristics – whether negative or positive – tended to co-occur in families.

概要

目的。亲子冲突的对立互动和父母养育习惯的不一致，都给孩子带来了更多负面的社会情感结果。当前的研究旨在基于典型一周中的平均水平以及协作和对立冲突特征的变异性来识别母婴二元组。我们还研究了冲突群体与儿童行为，母亲行为和家庭人口特征之间的关系。设计。在142位5至8岁儿童的母亲的样本中，我们通过在线父母报告评估了一周内每日冲突互动的质量。结果。基于冲突协作和反对的平均水平，以及从一种互动到另一种互动的这些品质的差异，我们使用潜在特征分析确定了三个母子冲突群体：温和稳定，负波动和中等。温和的双体包括年龄较大，内在和外在行为问题最少的孩子，以及报告的父母苦恼最少的母亲。结论。不同的信息是通过以变量为中心和以人为中心的分析提供的，冲突特征的不一致（无论是正面的还是负面的）往往在家庭中同时发生。