Parental Stress and Attachment in Families of Children with Behavioral Problems: A Comparative Study of Externalizing and Internalizing Disorders in India

Abstract

Problem behaviors in children and adolescents have been broadly categorized as exhibiting Externalizing and Internalizing symptoms. These have been documented to have major psychological consequences to the individuals as well as their primary caregivers. The study aimed to assess stress and attachment in parents of children with Externalizing and Internalizing problem behaviors. Descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based research was used. A total of 40 children/adolescents, 20 each with Externalizing and Internalizing disorders along with their parents were recruited for the study. Child behavior check list (CBCL) was used for inclusion, Parental Stress Scale for caregiver stress and the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment Scale-Revised (Parent version) for parent child attachment. Data were analysed using independent t-tests. Parents of children with externalising disorders reported significant higher stress levels than those of children with internalising disorders (p<0.01). Parents of children with externalizing disorders were found to have a higher level of stress.