Perceived child behaviour problems, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction: comparison of new arrival and local parents of preschool children in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To compare parental perception of child behaviour problems, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction in new arrival and local parents.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey; semi-structured interview.


METHODS
Maternal and Child Health Centres, social service centres, preschools.


METHODS
Parents of preschool children, including new arrival parents and local parents.


METHODS
Child behaviour problems, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction.


RESULTS
After controlling for socio-economic factors, new arrival parents were more troubled by their children's behaviour problems and their parent-child interactions were more dysfunctional than those of local parents. There were no differences in parent-reported severity of child behaviour problems, parental distress, and marital satisfaction. New arrival parents reported difficulties in adapting to the new living environment and lack of social support.


CONCLUSIONS
New arrival parents were more troubled by their children's behaviour, and their parent-child interactions were more dysfunctional than those of local parents. These might in part be related to their settlement difficulties. Parenting programmes should address their specific settlement needs.
Leung
Shirley S L
SS
Family Health Service, Department of Health, 18/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong. shirley_sl_leung@dh.gov.hk
Leung
Cynthia
C
Chan
Ruth
R
D000328:Adult; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires