Honors Theses
Advisor
Dr. Jackson Goodnight
Department
Psychology
Publication Date
4-22-2026
Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Parents and children have been shown to mutually influence parenting behaviors (Burke et al., 2008). Abnormal behaviors in children, namely externalizing and internalizing problems, offer a route of observation that can further demonstrate the bidirectionality of the parent-child relationship. Externalizing problems (i.e. Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or Conduct Disorder) are easier for parents to see because of their overt and outward nature, but they pose more difficult challenges for both parental response and treatment approaches. Internalizing problems (i.e. anxiety or depression) are more emotion-based, making them harder to recognize and diagnose. Our research is observing the presence of externalizing and internalizing behavior in children ages 4-9 and how that relates to parental behaviors for those same children ages 10-13. We used the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 79 - Child and Young Adult to make these observations because of its longitudinal, wave-based, and generational nature. We hope this study can establish a clear understanding between childhood internalizing and externalizing behaviors and subsequent parental behaviors.
Permission Statement
This item is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) and may only be used for noncommercial, educational, and scholarly purposes.
Keywords
Undergraduate research
eCommons Citation
Willerton, Quinn Ryan, "Parental Behaviors in Response to Childhood Internalizing and Externalizing Problems" (2026). Honors Theses. 527.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/uhp_theses/527
COinS
