Predictor Role of Parental Neglect On Socio-Emotional And Moral Development And Behavioral Problems In Children

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine parental neglect as a predictor of socio-emotional and moral development and behavioral problems in children. The participants of the study consisted of 266 parent-child dyads in Hatay, Turkey. The data collection instruments included a Socio-Demographic Information Form, which was administered to both the parents and their children. In addition, children were administered the Social-Emotional and Moral Development Scale, whereas the parents were administered the Child Behavior Checklist and Multidimensional Neglectful Behaviors Scale. According to the stepwise regression analysis, it was found that the number of children the parents had, behavioral problems in children, nationality and duration of stay of Syrian parents in Turkey, and parental neglect predicted socio-emotional and moral development in children. In terms of behavioral problems in children, parents’ age, educational status, and neglectful behaviors, in addition to children’s socio-emotional and moral development, were found to be the significant predictors. The results of the study may shed light on the associations among parental neglect and the socio-emotional and moral development and behavioral problems in children for school authorities and mental health professionals in a cosmopolitan population with high levels of immigration.