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Simultaneously Testing Parenting and Social Cognitions in Children At-Risk for Aggressive Behavior Problems: Sex Differences and Ethnic Similarities

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Abstract

In this cross-sectional study we examined a model in which parenting, child social information processing and self-perception are simultaneously tested as risk factors associated with aggression. Sex and ethnicity were tested as moderators of associations. The sample consisted of 206 4th grade children in the Netherlands. Parents reported on parenting, parent–child relationship, and reactive and proactive aggression whereas children reported on self-perception and social information processing. Results give support for both child social cognitive functioning and parenting as risk factors associated with aggressive behavior: For all children, a positive parent–child relationship was associated with less aggression, negative parenting was related to less positive self-perception, and deficits in social-cognitive functioning were related to aggression. Multigroup analyses showed ethnic similarities and sex differences in patterns of associations, which might suggest personalized tailor-made interventions for aggressive behavior.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre Psychosocial Development in Context, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.140, 3508 TC, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Sabine Stoltz, Monique van Londen, Maja Deković & Peter Prinzie

  2. Department of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Bram O. de Castro

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    John E. Lochman

Authors
  1. Sabine Stoltz
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  2. Monique van Londen
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  3. Maja Deković
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  4. Peter Prinzie
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  5. Bram O. de Castro
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  6. John E. Lochman
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Correspondence to Sabine Stoltz.

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Stoltz, S., van Londen, M., Deković, M. et al. Simultaneously Testing Parenting and Social Cognitions in Children At-Risk for Aggressive Behavior Problems: Sex Differences and Ethnic Similarities. J Child Fam Stud 22, 922–931 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-012-9651-8

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