Date of Award
Spring 2007
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Education
First Advisor
Fox, Robert
Second Advisor
Leslie, Lauren
Third Advisor
Anderson, Rebecca
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to investigate parental practices among Latino parents and the externalizing behaviors that their young children bring into the clinical setting. While several researchers have emphasized the early parent-child relationship as most important in the development of clinical disturbances in young children (Crockenberg & Leerkes, 2000; Sroufe, 1989), the present study attempted to shed light on parenting behaviors and expectations in Latino families that may contribute to externalizing behaviors in young clinic-referred children. This study also intended to examine temperament factors in clinic-referred Latino children in hopes of exploring the relationship between these factors. and parenting behaviors. In order to accomplish this investigation, the study assessed parent behaviors and expectations, and child behaviors using self-report and direct observations of the families. Acculturation and socioeconomic status were carefully controlled, as these variables are reported to have an influence on parenting (Domino & Acosta, 1987; Negy & Woods, 1992).