Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2007):

Perceived child behaviour problems, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction: comparison of new arrival and local parents of preschool children in Hong Kong.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare parental perception of child behaviour problems, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction in new arrival and local parents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey; semi-structured interview. SETTING: Maternal and Child Health Centres, social service centres, preschools. PARTICIPANTS: Parents of preschool children, including new arrival parents and local parents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Child behaviour problems, parenting stress, and marital satisfaction. RESULTS: After controlling for socio-economic factors, new arrival parents were more troubled by their children's behaviour problems and their parent-child interactions were more dysfunctional than those of local parents. There were no differences in parent-reported severity of child behaviour problems, parental distress, and marital satisfaction. New arrival parents reported difficulties in adapting to the new living environment and lack of social support. CONCLUSIONS: New arrival parents were more troubled by their children's behaviour, and their parent-child interactions were more dysfunctional than those of local parents. These might in part be related to their settlement difficulties. Parenting programmes should address their specific settlement needs.

Author information

Author/s: Leung, Shirley S L (SS); Leung, Cynthia (C); Chan, Ruth (R);

Affiliation: Family Health Service, Department of Health, 18/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong. shirley_sl_leung(-atsign-)dh.gov.hk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: Hong Kong medical journal = Xianggang yi xue za zhi / Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (Hong Kong Med J), published in China. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Oct; vol 13 (issue 5) : pp 364-71

Dates: Created 2007/10/04; Completed 2008/01/31;

PMID: 17914142, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Child Behavior - ethnology; psychology Child, Preschool China - ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies Emigrants and Immigrants Female Hong Kong Humans Male

Male Marriage - ethnology; psychology Parent-Child Relations Parenting - ethnology; psychology Parents - psychology Perception Personal Satisfaction Questionnaires Social Support Stress, Psychological

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