Effects of Perception of Marital Conflict and Child Rearing Attitude on Child Abuse and Emotional Maladjustment Behavior in Children

Moon, Young Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the perception of marital conflict and child rearing attitudes on abuse experience and emotional maladjustment behavior in children.
METHODS
Data were collected from May 25 to June 5, 2009. A questionnaire survey was used with 320 elementary school students. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
For effects of perception of marital conflict and child rearing attitude on abuse experience among these children, authoritarian controlling disposition, affectionate disposition and marital conflict had a significant impact on their overall abuse experience. These variables were predictors of child abuse and accounted for 30.6% of the variance. For effects of perception of marital conflict, child rearing attitude and abuse experience on emotional maladjustment behavior among children, there was a significant influence for marital conflict, neglect, emotional abuse and authoritarian controlling disposition. These variables were predictors of emotional maladjustment behavior and accounted for 21.5% of the variance.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that marital conflict and child rearing attitude are two major variables affecting children's abuse experience and emotional maladjustment behavior.