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Relations between child self-control, maternal relational frustration, and teacher–child conflict: a longitudinal study with children from dual-earner families

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2020

Tiago Ferreira Open the ORCID record for Tiago Ferreira [Opens in a new window] ,
Joana Cadima ,
Marisa Matias ,
Teresa Leal  and
Paula Mena Matos
Tiago Ferreira*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Joana Cadima
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Marisa Matias
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Teresa Leal
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Paula Mena Matos
Affiliation:
Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Center for Psychology at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
*
Author for Correspondence: Tiago Ferreira, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 4200-135 Porto, Portugal. Email: tiagodsferreira@gmail.com
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Abstract

This longitudinal study follows children from dual-earner families in 4 time-points, covering the early childhood period. We examined the influence of work–family conflict (WFC) on maternal relational frustration (RF) towards the child, and investigated the reciprocal relations among maternal RF, children's self-control (SC), and teacher–child (TC) conflict over time. Participants were 214 children (97 girls; M age = 4.00 years), their mothers, and teachers. Mothers reported their own WFC and RF, whereas teachers reported child SC and T-C conflict. Results from a cross-lagged panel model indicated the experience of WFC positively predicted maternal RF. Maternal RF and T-C conflict were negatively related to the child later SC abilities. Conversely, children who displayed SC difficulties were more likely to experience later maternal RF and T-C conflict. There was evidence supporting the bidirectional effects of child SC and T-C conflict across time. Moreover, maternal RF and T-C conflict were indirectly linked, via child SC. The findings are consistent with a transactional view of development, stressing the importance of contextual factors to the quality of caregiving relationships and highlighting the complex and reciprocal relations between child regulatory competence and the quality of relationships with distinct caregivers.

Keywords

child self-controlmaternal work–family conflictmaternal relational frustrationteacher–child conflict
Type
Regular Article
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 34 , Issue 1 , February 2022 , pp. 183 - 196
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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