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Children's Emotional and Behavioural Problems and Carer-Child Relationships in Permanent Care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2013

Maria M. Alexandris ,
Sabine W. Hammond  and
Michael McKay
Maria M. Alexandris
Affiliation:
Australian Catholic University
Sabine W. Hammond
Affiliation:
Australian Catholic University
Michael McKay
Affiliation:
Australian Catholic University
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Abstract

Children placed in permanent care often display a range of challenging behaviours that can affect the quality of carer-child relationships. The current study examined the relationship between children's emotional and behavioural difficulties and the quality of carer-child relationships in permanent care (N = 46). Permanent carers of children ages 3 to 12 completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; Goodman, 1999) and Child-Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS; Pianta, 1992). Results indicated that child emotional and behavioural difficulties were related to carer-child relationships. The SDQ scales Conduct Problems and Pro-Social Behaviour were the strongest predictors of relationship quality. The findings of the study suggest that fewer conduct problems and more pro-social behaviour is important for positive carer-child relationships.

Keywords

permanent careout-of-home careparent-child relationshipsbehavioural difficulties
Type
Articles
Information
Children Australia , Volume 38 , Issue 1 , March 2013 , pp. 22 - 27
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013

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