The Role of Cognitive Schemas and Parenting Styles in the Relationship between Parenting Practices and Child Behavior Problems

The current study examined the mediational value of cognitive schemes and parenting styles in relation to parenting practices and child behavior problems. Participants were 184 parents of children referred by educational institutions with behavior problems. The average age of parents was 35.7 years, with an average education corresponding to secondary school and lower middle socioeconomic status. Of all the children, 130 were boys and 54 girls with an average age of 8.7 years. The following instruments were applied: Child Behavior Inventory, Inventory of Parenting Practices, Parental Authority Questionnaire and Cognitive Schema Questionnaire - Reduced Form. Correlations, multiple regressions, and the Sobel test were carried out to analyze the data. The results support the model in which the cognitive schema Inflexible Standards 1 acts as mediator between parenting practices (punishment and social interaction) and the frequency of behavioral problems.