Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Parent-child interaction and conduct disorder

  • Published:
Educational Psychology Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper reviews recent research on the role of parent-child interaction in the etiology of children's conduct disorder. It examines the role of social and family factors in conduct disorder and the possible mechanisms by which these contextual factors might affect parent-child interaction and child problem behavior. A major focus is on research that has compared the patterns of interaction in families with and without conduct-disordered children, using observational methods, in order to test different theoretical explanations about how conduct disorder develops and is maintained. Further research is needed on the neglected area of positive parent-child interaction, which may be just as important as conflictual processes in determining the development of conduct disorder. Theoretical and methodological issues are raised about the problems of determining causality from correlational research, and the possibilities for naturalistic experimental studies are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1966). The classification of children's psychiatric symptoms: A factor analytic study.Psychol. Monogr. 80: 1–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., and Edelbrock, C. S. (1981). Behavioral problems and competencies reported by parents of normal and disturbed children aged four through sixteen.Monogr. Soc. Res. Child Devel. 46(1, Serial No. 108).

  • Achenbach, T. M., and Edelbrock, C. S. (1983).Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and Revised Child Behavior Profile University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry, Burlington, Vermont.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (1987).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) (3rd Ed., revised), APA, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, K., Lytton, H., and Romney, D (1986). Mothers interactions with normal and conduct-disordered boys: Who affects whom?Devel. Psychol. 22: 604–609.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R., and Cunningham, E. (1979). The effects of methylphenidate on mother-child interaction of hyperactive children.Arch. Gen. Psychiat. 36: 201–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barron, A. P., and Earls, F. (1984). The relation of temperament and social factors to behaviour problems in three-year-old children.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 25: 23–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, J. E. (June 1991). Early Temperament and Mother-Child Relationship as Interactive Factors in the Development of Behavior Problems. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, Zandvoort, Holland.

  • Bates, J. E., Maslin, C. A., and Frankel, K. A. (1985). Attachment security, mother-child interaction, and temperament as predictors of behavior problem ratings at age three years. In Bretherton, I., and Waters, E. (eds.), Growing points of attachment theory and research.Monogr. Soc. Res. Child Devel. 50(1–2, Serial no. 209).

  • Beck, A. (1982).Depression: Causes and Treatment University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, W. C. (1964). Consequences of different kinds of parental discipline. In Hoffman, M. L., and Hoffman, L. W. (eds.),Review of Child Development Research, Vol. 1, Russell Sage, New York, pp. 169–208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, R., and Harper, L. (1977).Child Effects on Adults Erlbaum, Hillsdale, N.J.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brody, G. H., and Forehand, R. (1986). Maternal perceptions of child maladjustment as a function of the combined influence of child behavior and maternal depression.J. Cons. Clin. Psychol. 54: 237–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, S. B., and Ewing, L. J. (1990). Follow-up of hard-to-manage preschoolers: Adjustment at age 9 and predictors of continuing symptoms.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 31: 871–890.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke-Stewart, K. A. (1973). Interactions between mothers and their young children: Characteristics and consequences.Monogr. Soc. Res. Child Devel. 38(6–7, Serial no. 153).

    Google Scholar 

  • Conrad, M., and Hammen, C. (1989). Role of maternal depression in perceptions of child maladjustment.J. Cons. Clin. Psychol. 57: 663–667.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox, A., Puckering, C., Pound, A., and Mills, M. (1987). The impact of maternal depression on young children.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 28: 917–928.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daugherty, T. K., and Quay, H. C. (1991). Response perseveration and delayed responding in childhood behaviour disorders.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 32: 453–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowdney, L. (1985). Critical notice: Coercive Family Process by G. R. Patterson.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 26: 829–833.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dowdney, L., Mrazek, D., Quinton, D., and Rutter, M. (1984). Observation of parent-child interaction with two- to three-year-olds.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 25: 379–409.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumas, J. E. (1986). Indirect influence of maternal social contacts on mother-child interactions: A setting event analysis.J. Abn. Child Psychol. 14: 205–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumas, J. E., and Gibson, J. A. (1990). Behavioral correlates of maternal depressive symptomatology in conduct-disorder children: II. Systemic effects involving fathers and siblings.J. Cons. Clin. Psychol. 58: 877–881.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumas, J. E., and Wahler, R. G. (1983). Predictors of treatment outcome in parent training: Mother insularity and socioeconomic disadvantage.Behav. Assess. 5: 301–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumas, J. E., and Wahler, R. G. (1985). Indiscriminate mothering as a contextual factor in aggressive-oppositional child behavior: “Damned if you do and damned if you don't”.J. Abn. Child Psychol. 13: 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumas, J. E., Gibson, J. A., and Albin, J. B. (1989). Behavioral correlates of maternal depressive symptomatology in conduct-disorder children.J. Cons. Clin. Psychol. 57: 516–521.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, J., and Kendrick, C. (1982).Siblings: Love, Envy and Understanding Grant McIntyre, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, M., Rolf, J. L., Hasazi, J., and Cummings, L. (1984). Follow-up of a preschool epidemiological sample: cross-age continuities and predictions of later adjustment with externalizing and internalizing dimensions of behavior.Child Devel. 55: 137–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forehand, R. L., and McMahon, R. J. (1981).Helping the Noncompliant Child Guilford Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friedlander, S., Weiss, D., and Traylor, J. (1986). Assessing the influence of maternal depression on the Child Behavior Checklist.J. Abn. Child Psychol. 14: 123–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, F. (1987). Positive interaction between mothers and children with conduct problems: Is there training for harmony as well as fighting?J. Abn. Child Psychol. 15: 283–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, F. (1989). Inconsistent parenting: Is there evidence for a link with children's conduct problems?J. Abn. Child Psychol. 17: 223–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, F. The quality of joint play between mothers and children with conduct problems. Submitted for publication.

  • Gelfand, D., and Teti, J. (1990). The effects of maternal depression on children.Clin. Psychol. Rev. 10: 329–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graham, P., and Rutter, M. (1973). Psychiatric disorder in the young adolescent: A follow-up study.Proc. Royal Soc. Med. 66: 1226–1229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griest, D. L., Forehand, R., Wells, K. C., and McMahon, R. J. (1980). An examination of differences between nonclinic and behavior problem clinic-referred children and their mothers.J. Abn. Psychol. 89: 497–500.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hetherington, E., and Martin, B. (1986). Family factors and psychopathology in children. In Quay, H. C., and Werry, J. S. (ed.,)Psychopathological Disorders of Childhood 3rd Ed., Wiley, New York, pp. 332–391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hetherington, E., Cox, M., and Cox, R. (1982). Effects of divorce on parents and families. In Lamb, M. (ed.),Nontraditional Families Erlbaum, Hillsdale, N.J., pp. 233–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, L., and Jenkins, R. (1946).Fundamental Patterns of Maladjustment: The Dynamics of Their Origin The State of Illinois, Springfield, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogan, A. E., and Quay, H. C. (1984). Cognition in child and adolescent behavior disorders. In Lahey, B., and Kazdin, A. (eds.),Advances in Clinical Child Psychology, Vol. 7, Plenum, New York, pp. 1–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hops, H., Biglan, A., Sherman, L., Arthur, J., Friedman, L., and Osteen, V. (1987). Home observations of family interactions of depressed women.J. Cons. Clin. Psychol. 55: 341–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, J. M., and Smith, M. A. (1991). Marital disharmony and children's behaviour problems: Aspects of a poor marriage that affect children adversely.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 32: 793–810.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C. L., and Bates, J. E. (1985). Mother-child interaction at age two years and perceived difficult temperament.Child Devel. 56: 1314–1325.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R. (1982). The stability of antisocial and delinquent behavior: A review.Child Devel. 53: 1431–1446.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R. (1990). Development and risk factors of juvenile antisocial behavior and delinquency.Clin. Psychol. Rev. 10: 1–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., and Lahey, B. (1989). Recommendations for research on disruptive behavior disorders of childhood and adolescence. In Lahey, B., and Kazdin, A. (eds.),Advances in Clinical Child Psychology, Vol. 12, Plenum, New York, pp. 221–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., and Schmaling, K. (1985). Empirical evidence for overt and covert patterns of antisocial conduct problems: A metaanalysis.J. Abn. Child Psychol. 13: 337–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., and Stouthamer-Loeber, M. (1987). Prediction. In Quay, H. C. (ed.),Handbook of Juvenile Delinquency Wiley, New York, pp. 325–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lytton, H. (1990). Child and parent effects in boys' conduct disorder: A reinterpretation.Devel. Psychol. 26: 683–697.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maccoby, E. E., and Martin, J. A. (1983). Socialization in the context of the family: Parent-child interaction. In Hetherington, E. M. (Ed.),Handbook of Child Psychology: Vol. 4, Socialization, Personality and Social Development Wiley, New York, pp. 1–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattison, R. E., Cantwell, D. P., and Baker, L. (1980). Dimensions of behavior in children with speech and language disorders.J. Abn. Child Psychol. 8: 323–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, R. J., (1987). Some current issues in the behavioral assessment of conduct-disordered children and their families.Behav. Assess. 9: 235–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills, M., Puckering, C., Cox, A., and Pound, A. (1985). What is it about depressed mothers that influences their children? In Stevenson, J. (ed.),Recent Advances in Developmental Psychopathology Pergamon, Oxford, pp. 11–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortimore, P., Sammons, P., Stoll, L., Lewis, D., and Ecob, R. (1988).School Matters: The Junior Years Open Books, Wells, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parpal, M., and Maccoby, E. E. (1985). Maternal responsiveness and subsequent child compliance.Child Devel. 56 1326–1334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R. (1976). The aggressive child: Victim and architect of a coercive system. In Hamerlynck, L. A., Handy, L. C., and Mash, E. J. (eds.),Behavior Modification and Families: Theory and Research, Vol. 1, Brunner/Mazel, New York, pp. 267–316.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R. (1980). Mothers: The unacknowledged victims.Monogr. Soc. Res. Child Devel. 45(5, Serial no. 186).

  • Patterson, G. R. (1982).Coercive Family Process Castalia, Eugene, Oregon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R. (1986). Performance models for anti-social boys.Am. Psychol. 41: 432–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R., and Reid, J. (1973). Interventions for families of aggressive boys: A replication study.Behav. Res. Ther. 11: 383–394.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patterson, G. R., Littman, R. A., and Bricker, W. (1967). Assertive behavior in children: A step toward a theory of aggression.Monogr. Soc. Res. Child Devel. 32(5, Whole no. 113).

  • Patterson, G. R., Dishion, T. J., and Bank, L. (1984). Family interaction: A process model of deviancy training. In Eron, L. (ed.),Aggr. Behavior 10(Special issue): 253–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, D. R. (1961). Behavior problems of middle childhood.J. Cons. Psychol. 25: 205–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pettit, G. S., and Bates, J. E. (1989). Family interaction patterns and children's behavior problems from infancy to four years.Devel. Psychol. 25: 413–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plomin, R. (1983). Childhood temperament. In Lahey, B., and Kazdin, A. (eds.),Advances in Clinical Child Psychology, Vol. 6, Plenum, New York, pp. 45–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puckering, C. (1989). Maternal depression.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 30: 807–817.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H. C. (1986a). Classification. In Quay, H. C., and Werry, J. S. (ed.),Psychopathological Disorders of Childhood 3rd Ed., Wiley, New York, pp. 1–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quay, H. C. (1986b). Conduct disorder. In Quay, H. C. and Werry, J. S. (eds.),Psychopathological Disorders of Childhood. 3rd Ed., Wiley, New York, pp. 35–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinton, D., Rutter, M., and Rowlands, O. (1976). An evaluation of an interview assessment of marriage.Psychol. Med. 61: 577–586.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, J. B. (ed.) (1978).A Social Learning Approach to Family Interventions Vol. II: Observation in Home Settings Castalia, Eugene, Oregon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richman, N., Stevenson, J. E., and Graham, P. (1982).Pre-school to school: A behavioural study Academic Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robins, L. (1966).Deviant children grown up Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robins, L. (1978). Sturdy childhood predictors of adult antisocial behaviour: Replications from longitudinal studies.Psychol. Med. 8: 611–622.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, E. A. (1985). Coercion theory revisited: Toward a new theoretical perspective on the etiology of conduct disorders.Clin. Psychol. Rev. 5: 597–625.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogosa, D. (1980). A critique of cross-lagged correlation.Psychol. Bull. 88: 245–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1978). Family, area, and school influences in the genesis of conduct disorders. In Hersov, L., and Berger, M. (eds.),Aggression and Anti-Social Behaviour in Childhood and Adolescence Pergamon, Oxford, pp. 95–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1985). Family and school influences on behavioural development.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 26: 349–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1987). Temperament, personality, and personality disorder.Brit. J. Psychiat. 150: 443–458.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M. (1990). Commentary: Some focus and process considerations regarding effects of parental depression on children.Devel. Psychol. 25: 60–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Tizard, J., and Whitmore, K. (eds.) (1970).Education, Health and Behaviour Longmans, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Yule, B., Quinton, D., Rowlands, O., Yule, W., and Berger, M. (1975). Attainment and adjustment in two geographical areas: III. Some factors accounting for area differences.Brit. J. Psychiat. 126: 520–523.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., Maughan, B., Mortimore, P., Ouston, J., and Smith, A. (1979).Fifteen Thousand Hours: Secondary Schools and Their Effects on Children Harvard University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutter, M., MacDonald, H., Le Couteur, A., Harrington, R., Bolton, P., and Bailey, A. (1990). Genetic factors in child psychiatric disorder — II.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 31: 39–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanson, A., Oberklaid, F., Pedlow, R., and Prior, M. (1991). Risk indicators: Assessment of infancy predictors of pre-school behavioural maladjustment.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 32: 609–626.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schachar, R., and Wachsmuth, R. (1990). Oppositional disorder in children: A validation study comparing conduct disorder, oppositional disorder and normal control children.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 31: 1089–1102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schachar, R., Rutter, M., and Smith, A. (1981). The characteristics of situationally and pervasively hyperactive children: Implications for syndrome definition.J. Child Psychol. Psychiat. 22: 375–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaffer, H. R., and Crook, C. K. (1979). Maternal control techniques in a directed play situation.Child Devel. 50: 989–995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sears, R. R., Maccoby, E., and Levin, H. (1957).Patterns of Child-rearing, Harper & Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snyder, J. J. (1977). A reinforcement analysis of interaction in problem and non-problem families.J. Abn. Psychol. 86: 528–535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, A., Chess, S., and Birch, H. G. (1968).Temperament and Behavior Disorders in Children, New York University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahler, R. G. (1980). The insular mother: Her problems in parent-child treatment.J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 13: 207–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wahler, R. G., and Dumas, J. E. (1986). Maintenance factors in coercive mother-child interaction: The compliance and predictability hypotheses.J. Appl. Behav. Anal. 19: 13–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster-Stratton, C. (1988). Mothers' and fathers' perceptions of child deviance: Roles of parent and child behaviors and parent adjustment.J. Cons. Clin. Psychol. 56: 909–915.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster-Stratton, C., and Hammond, M. (1988). Maternal depression and its relationship to life stress, perceptions of child behavior problems, parenting behaviors and child conduct problems.J Abn. Child Psychol. 16: 299–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster-Stratton, C., Hollinsworth, T., and Kolpacoff, M. (1989). The long-term effectiveness of three cost-effective training programmes for families with conduct-problem children.J. Cons. Clin. Psychol. 57: 550–553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wells, K. C. (1984). Invited book review:Coercive Family Process by G.R. Patterson.Behav. Ther. 15: 121–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werry, J. S., Reeves, J. C., and Elkind, G. S. (1987). Attention deficit, conduct, oppositional, and anxiety disorders in children: A review of research on differentiating characteristics.J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiat. 26: 133–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolkind, S. N., and DeSalis, W. (1982). Infant temperament, maternal mental state and child behavioural problems. In Porter, R., and Collins, G. (eds.),Temperamental Differences in Infants and Young Children, Ciba Foundation Symposium No. 89, Pitman, London, pp. 221–239.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yule, W. (1978). Behavioural treatment of conduct disorders. In Hersov, L., and Berger, M. (eds.),Aggression and Anti-Social Behaviour in Childhood and Adolescence, Pergamon, Oxford, pp. 115–142.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL, Coventry, England

    Frances E. M. Gardner

Authors
  1. Frances E. M. Gardner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gardner, F.E.M. Parent-child interaction and conduct disorder. Educ Psychol Rev 4, 135–163 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01322342

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01322342

Key words

Search

Navigation