Kwaliteit van de Moeder-Kind Relatie na Scheiding en Internaliserende Problematiek bij Adolescenten

Abstract

On average, children from divorced families report more internalizing problems compared to children who grow up in intact families. The aim of the current study was to contribute more knowledge of factors that could predict internalizing problems for adolescents after divorce. This study investigated the relationship between the quality of the mother-child relationship after divorce and internalizing problems for adolescents. This study also examined the possible difference in the relationship between boys and girls. Method. Data were collected by the survey Scholieren & Gezinnen with self-report questionnaires of adolescents aged 12 to 16 years. The sample size consisted 442 adolescents from divorced families. A multiple hierarchical regression was used to analyse the relationships. Results. Results showed a significant negative relationship of the mother-child relationship and internalizing problems from adolescents. Exploratory research showed an interaction effect between mother-child relationship, internalizing problem and gender. Discussion. The quality of the mother-child relationship turned out to be more important for girls to have less internalizing problems than for boys. Further research is recommended, including the potential role of bi-directional influences and the potential role of early, middle or late adolescence.