Parental Practices: Conjugality, Maternal Depression, Children´s Behavior and Demographic Variables

Abstract Interfaces between maternal educational practices and behavior problems are recognized. However, there are few studies that approach context variables and specific people that can interfere using both positive and negative practices. The objective of this study was to compare parental practices reported by mothers of pre-school and elementary school children, considering variables such as demographic data, educational practices, marital relationship, maternal depression, behavior problems and social skills. Participants included a total of 151 biological mothers and their children, who reported on parental practices, children behavior, maternal depression and demographic variables. With statistical significance, it was identified that: children’s social skills, behavior problems, marital relationship, education level and familiar income distinguished the groups in relation to the use of educational practices; positive practices were associated to children’s social skills, whereas negative practices were linked to behavior problems; For elementary school children, the use of positive practices was influenced by depression, familiar income and maternal schooling, and for pre-school children, maternal schooling was the influencing factor.