Relationships Between Child Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms and Caregiver Strain and Parenting Stress

Overview

Journal J Fam Issues

Publisher Sage Publications

Date 2014 Apr 8

PMID 24707069

Citations 26

Authors

Ellen L Vaughan

Richard Feinn

Stanley Bernard

Maria Brereton

Joy S Kaufman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Children with emotional and behavioral disturbance often have difficulties in multiple symptom domains. This study investigates the relationships between child symptoms and caregiver strain and parenting stress among 177 youth and their caregivers participating in a school-based system of care. Youth were grouped by symptom domain and included those with low scores on both internalizing and externalizing symptoms, those with only high internalizing symptoms, those with only high externalizing symptoms, and those with high symptoms levels in both internalizing and externalizing domains. Results revealed significant group differences on measures of caregiver strain and parenting stress. Caregivers of youth with symptoms in both internalizing and externalizing domains reported the highest levels of strain and stress; however, there was some variation in group differences by caregiver outcome. The results of this study emphasize the importance of not only providing services for youth, but also providing support services for their caregivers.

Citing Articles

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X- vs. Y-chromosome influences on human behavior: a deep phenotypic comparison of psychopathology in XXY and XYY syndromes.

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Dimensions of caregiver strain may partially mediate the relationship between youth symptomology and counseling utilization among Latinxs.

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