Effects of family interaction on the child's behavior in single-parent or reconstructed families.
The effects of the family interaction on children's behavior were studied in single-parent or reconstructed families (N = 63) in a white population in Finland. The focus was on the spousal and the parent-child interaction. Teachers assessed children's behavior and parents were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed qualitatively using the grounded-theory method. The boundary ambiguity theory developed by Pauline Boss was used to examine the interaction in the families. About two fifths of the parents reported that their spousal interaction was good, family boundaries were clear, and the children were taken care of together. Another two fifths interacted only because of the child and family boundaries were ambiguous. In 14 families the involvement of the noncustodial parent was both physically and psychologically low. The physically close but psychologically distant parent-child interaction seemed to affect the child's behavior detrimentally, whereas children with physically and psychologically close interaction with their parents showed less behavioral problems. The children with behavioral problems were more likely to have problems with both parents. They were also more likely to have a stepparent with whom they had conflicts. In conclusion, a good interaction between the parents and clarified family boundaries protect children's mental health after their parents' divorce or separation.
Taanila
Anja
A
University of Oulu, Department of Public Health Science and General Practice, P.O. Box 5000, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland. ataanila@cc.oulu.fi
Laitinen
Elina
E
Moilanen
Irma
I
Järvelin
Marjo-Riitta
MR
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D004243:Divorce / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D015406:Single Parent / Q000523:psychology