Fundamentals of Mental Health

Fundamentals of Mental Health

A comparative study on the predictive influence of family function and attachment style in foreseeing externalized behavioral problems in children

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Ruhullah Mirzaaghasi 1
Masoumeh Behbudi 2
Farideh Dukanei Fard 2
1 Ph.D. student in consulting psychology, Faculty of educational sciences and consultation, Islamic Azad University of Rudehen, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant professor in consulting psychology, Faculty of educational sciences and consultation, Islamic Azad University of Rudehen, Tehran, Iran
10.22038/jfmh.2019.14039
Abstract
Introduction: The present research aimed to foresee externalization behaviors based on attachment and family function in the students of elementary schools located in Tehran.
Materials and Methods: The sample of this multivariate correlation model consisted of 341 elementary students of Tehran along with their parents which were selected via a multistage random sampling method in 2017-2018. The research instrument of this study including questionnaires of family function, child behavior and attachment analysis. The results were analyzed through multiple regression analysis.
Results: The findings of this study show that attachment and family functionality had significant relationship with externalizing behaviors (P<0.05 and P<0.01). Furthermore, attachment anxiety, self-control and relationships had the foremost role in the predicting the behaviors. Attachment and family function were able to predict extrinsic behavior (16% and 6% respectively).
Conclusion: It seems that attachment and family function were able to predict extrinsic behavior in children.
Keywords
Attachment style
Behavioral problems
Children
Family function

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Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 21, Issue 5
September and October 2019
Pages 265-277