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Parenting skills and child behavior: A cross-sectional study in some selected

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Article  in  WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health · January 2015

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South East Asia Journal Of Public Health
ISSN: 2220-9476 Public Health
ISSN: 2313-531X (Online) Original Research

Parenting skills and child behavior: A cross-sectional

study in some selected areas of Nepal
Sarder Mahmud Hossain1, Sazia Huq2, Biswas Adhikari3, Sumaiya Zabin Eusuf Zai4,
Syed Mohammad Tanjilul Haque5
1
Professor and Head; 2,4Lecturer; 3Student MPH; Department of Public Health, Northern University of Bangladesh,
Dhaka, Bangladesh. 5Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Anwer Khan Modern Medical College &
Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract
Acting out, or misbehavior, is often associated with ineffective parenting. It negatively affects children across socio-
economic backgrounds. While ineffective parenting might not solely be the blame for negative behaviors in
children, parenting contributes significantly to children's behavioral outcomes. Till now there is lack of data
regarding child behavior affected by parenting skill in Nepal. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of
parenting skill on children behavior. In this descriptive type of cross-sectional study 369 respondents were selected
by purposive sampling in some selected areas of Nepal. The mean age of the respondents was 36.14±6.69 years with
92.7% female and of them 92.1% were married. Out of 184 respondents, 45.1% gave proper childcare/love/
sufficient time to children. Among the respondents 68% had spent quality time with their children very frequently.
Statistically an association was found between parenting skill (quality time with children) and different behavior of
children. Rearing children always needs good parenting skills which help to change the future of the nation by pro-
ducing skilled, well behaved, intelligent citizens in the days to come. As such awareness about parenting skill
should be made generalized and easily accessible to all eligible couples in the country.
Keywords: Parenting skill, Childcare, Child behavior, Quality time, Nepal.

Introduction Practice Points

Effective parenting has never been more important to a  Rearing children always needs good parenting
family’s success than today.1 To engender good skills which help to change the future of the
behaviors, parenting style needs to include developing nation by producing skilled, well behaved, in-
and clarifying clear expectations. Parents should stay telligent citizens.
calm in the midst of turmoil, consistently following
through with positive and negative consequences, being a
 Still now there is lack of data regarding child
positive role model. They should display corrective behavior affected by parenting skill in Nepal.
behaviors encouraging the children and praising their  Among the study respondents, only 68% had
good behaviors.2 spent quality time with their children very
frequently.
Parents finally need to build their child’s brain and body.
They should be provided healthy meals and snacks that  Among the respondents, 45.1% gave proper
model good eating habits. They need to teach them right childcare/love/sufficient time to children,
from wrong, so they understand moral values and rules. 3 74.5% respondents praised the children for their
As children grow, they seek more independence and have best efforts, 98.6% showed love and kindness
increasingly complex problems.4 Nobody can imagine and 95.1% always helped the kids.
how the parent will start feeling by changing in their own
approach and getting the good results for both them as  Parenting skills may be included in the
well as whole family.5 curriculum of graduate level programs in order
to facilitate learning regarding the pros and
It was found that a negative parenting style characterized cons of different parenting style as well as
by more harsh, inconsistent discipline was clearly skills.
associated with more severe child antisocial behavior.
Being in the top quarter of parents using of negative to 40% if they did).6 Maternal negative attitudes
discipline was associated with having twice the rate of towards the infant at 6 months is an independent
severe child behavior problems in the clinical range predictor of child behavior problems at 5 years. This
(rising from 21% of children in families who didn’t use it, association remained significant for boys’ externalizing

Correspondence: Dr. Sazia Huq, Lecturer, Department of Public Health, Northern University of Bangladesh,
Dhaka, Bangladesh. Email: [email protected].

South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2015;5(1):44-48. © 2015 Hossain et al., publisher and licensee Public Health Foundation
Bangladesh. This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, provided the original work is properly
cited. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v5i1.24851 44
Hossain et al.  Parenting skill and child behavior

behaviors and girls’ internalizing behaviors.7 Data entry and analysis was done using Statistical
packages for social science (SPSS) software version
Greater negative maternal child rearing history 16.0, (Chicago).
indirectly influenced social initiating skills through its
direct influence on maternal emotional stress.8 Greater Results
maternal emotional stress directly influenced mothers' The study revealed that 55.3% and 30.6% of
parenting that, in turn, directly influenced social respondents belonged to the age group 30-39 and 40-49
initiating.8 A study conducted by the TRACK years respectively with a mean age of 36.14±6.69
(Teaching, Rearing and Communicating with Kids)
(Table 1). 68% respondents very frequently spent
project found that maternal stress was negatively
quality time with their children (Figure 1).
associated with a broad range of parenting skills, and
that parenting skills were negatively associated with Out of 184 respondents, 45.1% gave proper childcare/
child problem behaviors.9 love/sufficient time to children, 31.5% maintained
regular health checkups and 24.5% maintained proper
This study examined the effectiveness of three evidence education for the development of their child. Of them,
-based parenting programs when rolled out on a large 22.8% took responsibility, supporting their children
scale in community settings, as part of the Parenting throughout, and also supported exclusive breast feeding.
Early Intervention Pathfinder (PEIP), and their relative Among them 19.6% looked after cleanliness of their
effectiveness. The study found substantial children and only 11.4% arranged for timely
improvements in all three programs in parenting immunization (Table 2).
behavior, parents’ mental well-being and reported
behavior of the child about whom the parent had the The study found that 74.5% respondents praised the
most concern for displaying, or being at risk of children for their best efforts. The attitudes of the
anti-social behavior. respondents was observed and was found to be equally
reflected in the children as well, such as showing love
Materials and Methods and kindness by 98.6% and always helping the kids by
It was a descriptive type of cross-sectional study. The 95.1% respondents. It was also seen that 95.9% allowed
sample was purposively selected from Neel Kantha kids to learn new things and new ideas; allowed healthy
VDC from Dhading district of Nepal and all parents of discussion and 94.6% demonstrated empathy in
children of more than 2 years of age were included in response to empathy (Table 3). Statistically an
the study. The study was conducted between May and association was found between parenting skill (quality
August, 2013. time with children) and different behaviors of children
(Table 4).
A pretested and modified questionnaire was used to
collect the data. Data collection was done with the help
of a trained data collector. Parents who were available at Table 1: Distribution of respondents by age (n-369)
the time of field visit and gave consent to participate Age group Respondents (%)
were included in the study. But mothers who were 20-29 44 (11.9%)
unwilling to participate, or were mentally or physically 30-39 204 (55.3%)
handicapped were excluded from the study. 40-49 113 (30.6%)
50-59 5 (1.4%)
60-69 3 (0.8%)
Mean=36.14±6.69

80

70 68

60
Quality time with children (%)

50

40

30

20 17.6
11.9
10
2.2
0.3
0
Very frequently Frequently Occasionally Rarely Never

Figure 1: Distribution of respondents by spending quality time with children (n-369)

South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2015;5(1):44-48

45
Hossain et al.  Parenting skill and child behavior

Table 2: Knowledge learnt from health education program (n-184)

Health Education Program Respondents (%)
Timely immunization 21 (11.4%)
Maintain health/ regular checkup 58 (31.5%)
Proper childcare/Love/ Time to children 83 (45.1%)
Cleanliness 36 (19.6%)
Proper education for development 45 (24.5%)
Importance of exclusive breast feeding/nutritious diet 42 (22.8%)
Responsibilities/ Support toward children 42 (22.8%)

Table 3: Distribution of the respondents by attitude (n-369)

Attitude Respondents (%)

The more love and kindness you give, the more you receive 364 (98.6%)
Regularity, structure and clear boundaries create trust, it’s what the child needs 318 (86.2%)
so you need to provide
If you are optimistic and hopeful about the future it may turn out to be self-
194 (52.6%)
fulfilling
Slow down and get sync with the child is the best way to be patience 333 (90.2%)
Never give up especially when it comes to helping your kids 351 (95.1%)
Believe in flexibility 163 (44.2%)
Allow kids to learn new things, have new ideas and allow exposure to others
354 (95.9%)
point of view
Believe empathy is the effective antidote to attitudes that are selfish, insensitive
229 (62.1%)
and cruel
The best of children learn empathy is experiencing our empathy for them 349 (94.6%)

Table 4: Association of parenting skills (quality time with children) and different behavior

Variables p-value 95% Confidence Interval

Lower limit Upper limit
Trouble sleeping 0.025 0.029 0.074
Poor appetite 0.003 0.000 0.013
Spend Sad/unhappy 0.022 0.044 0.097
quality time Prefers playing/being alone rather than with peers 0.026 0.031 0.077
with children Lacks confidence in his/her abilities 0.017 0.018 0.057
Shy 0.021 0.007 0.037
Sensitive to criticism 0.008 0.000 0.008
Often fails to finish things 0.029 0.016 0.054
Poor concentration and attention when in school task 0.002 0.000 0.008

Table 4 reveals that there was a significant statistical the age group of parents varied from 21- 69 years
association between parents spending quality time with with a mean of 40.45±7.98.10
children and children behaviors like, trouble in sleeping,
poor appetite, sad/unhappy, prefer playing/being alone This study found that 3.6% respondents never or
rather than with peers, lack of confidence in his/her rarely spent time with their kids, 11.9% occasionally
abilities, shy, sensitive to criticism, often fails to finish and 85.6% spent sufficient time. The first finding of
things, poor concentration and attention in school task the study matches with the finding of the survey con-
(p-value <0.05). ducted by one poll which revealed that one in 33
parents (three per cent) do not feel like to spend any
Discussion quality time with their kids.16 Research has also re-
The cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the vealed that nurturing in the form of spending
parental skills affecting child behavior in selected areas sufficient quality time with children was fun and
of Nepal. The present study showed that 55.3% enjoyable for parents leading to happy, healthy,
respondents belonged to 30-39 years age group fol- successful kids.17
lowed by 30.6% in 40-49 years, 11.9% in 20-29 years,
1.4% in 50-59 years and 0.8% in 60-69 years age group Showing affection every day is the best way to let
with the mean age of 36.14±6.68 years. This finding is children know that parents love them. Most mothers
closer to the findings of the study conducted on Parents’ and fathers i.e. 87% and 73% respectively report that
Perspectives on Parenting Styles and Disciplining Chil- they hug their children and tell their children that they
dren in 2010 in Dublin, Ireland with 1353 participants; love them every day. This study also showed similar
South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2015;5(1):44-48

46
Hossain et al.  Parenting skill and child behavior

findings i.e. 77.8% frequently does followed by 15.7% cross sectional study so the parents who are not
occasionally and remaining 6.5% never or rarely shows available do not have a chance of participation and re-
their affection towards their children.18 sponses of the non-participants may differ from the ad-
dressed respondents.
According to the mind/Body Medical Institute at
Harvard University, 60-90% of all medical office visits Conclusion
in the United States are for stress related disorders and Effective parenting skills that have been covered in this
to overcome stress following different techniques.19 In study include developing and clarifying clear
this present study also 78.6% frequently practice, 11.1% expectations, staying calm when children get upset,
occasionally and 10.3% less commonly or do not prac- consistently follow through with positive and negative
tice relaxation techniques. consequences, being a positive role model, role playing
corrective behaviors and lastly, praising children for
The study revealed that 98.6% parents had the idea that their behavior. Maximum parents had positive attitude
treating children with love and affection will be towards children which also contribute to develop
reciprocated equally by the children. It also observed positive behavior in the children. Those who had
that 95.9% respondents allowed their kids to learn new participated in parenting program had gained knowledge
things or had new ideas and allowed exposure to others about timely immunization, sufficient time and love is
point of view so that their child can handle and tackle needed for the kids, importance of exclusive breast
different situations. Of the respondents 95.1% never feeding as well as a nutritious diet, regular health check-
gave up to help their children. 94.6% respondents ups and responsibilities, and their support toward their
believed that kids learn empathy best when they were children. A provision of parenting programs for
treated with empathy, 86.2% believed clear structures expecting parents and parents of children will further
and boundaries create trust, only 44.2% believed in improve positive parenting skills and the development
flexibility with children. In the report from family and of positive child behavior.
community development evaluation regarding parenting
skills workshop series present the data as deal with To create conscious parents with adequate skill of
challenges with mean 1.36±0.908, respecting feeling parenting following actions may be undertaken:
1.2±0.873, confidence in parenting 0.97±0.702 and
positive image 0.81±0.784.20
 Parenting skills may be included in the curriculum of
secondary education programs in order to facilitate
It was observed from the study that 49.9% attended the
learning processes regarding the pros and cons of
Health Education Program. As a result 11.4%
different parenting style as well as skills.
respondents went for timely immunization, 31.5%
 Health centers/ MCH clinic may be organized in a
maintained healthy condition or regular medical
way so that parenting skills and its benefits are
checkup of their children, 45.1% learnt proper childcare,
communicated well to the care seekers.
to provide love and sufficient time for children, 19.6%
perceived the importance of cleanliness, 24.5% under-  Mass media may be used to organize to conduct
stood the necessity of proper education, 22.8% followed regular programs on parenting skills and its ultimate
exclusive of breast feeding or nutritious diet and 22.8% benefits for the nation to create awareness among the
could know their responsibilities and need of their target groups of present and future.
support toward children. This study also showed that
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