Search

This paper reports on a study among 711 Chinese students from the post-reform generation, comparing the subjective wellbeing of urban and rural students from different family income groups, using the Personal Wellbeing Index of the International Wellbeing Group. Urban participants were found to be more satisfied with their standard of living and their life-achievements than their rural counterparts, but no differences were found between these two groups for happiness, overall satisfaction with life, and the other five Personal Wellbeing Index satisfaction domains. In terms of family income level, participants from higher income families were found to be happier than participants from lower income families, and they were significantly more satisfied with their life (overall), as well as with their standard of living, life-achievement, personal relationships, feeling part of the community, and future (financial) security.

The large number of children with mentally ill or addicted parents calls for efficient provision of preventive support: interventions should be offered to children most at risk and attune to their risk levels and needs. This study provided insight in the (heterogeneous) needs of children participating in preventive support groups. Questionnaires were filled out by 170 children (8–12 years) and their ill parent on children's psychosocial problems, parental illness-related cognitions and various risk factors. Outcomes show that 55.7% of the children had clinical psychosocial problems, 13.3% had subclinical problems and 31% functioned relatively well. Eighty-three percent experienced multiple risk factors. A linear cumulative relation was found between the number of risk factors and intensity of child problems. Children were classified into four risk profiles according to their own functioning and family risk level. The heterogeneity in the support group participants might call for interventions of different intensity and content.

Abstract.A questionnaire and two observation methods were used to assess the parent-child relationship constructs Warmth, Hostility, Respect for Autonomy, and Setting Limits. Family members (father, mother, and one child) were asked to assess each of the other family members on these constructs. The family members were observed during an interaction task and their behavior toward each of the other family members was coded on these constructs, using global ratings and microcodes. The children's problem behavior was rated by both parents. A multitrait-multimethod approach was followed in analyzing the data and interpreting the criterion validity of the relationship measures. Method-variance overshadowed trait-variance and presumably also explained the moderate criterion validity of the questionnaire and the behavior rating method.

In this project, we examined the relationships among child rearing, parental locus of control about child rearing, and the child's behaviour style as perceived by parents. Both father and mother of 120 children (9-12 years old) participated. We discriminated among two types of behaviour styles, externalising (undercontrol of impulses) and internalising behaviour (overcontrol of emotions). Parents who perceived their child as an internaliser or as an externaliser, had a weak internal locus of control. Parents with a weak internal locus of control are more authoritarian, especially when they were more inclined to perceive their child as an internaliser or as an externaliser. Also, the child's behaviour style was related to child rearing. Perceived externalising child behaviour was positively related to authoritarian parental behaviour, especially for parents with a weak internal locus of control. Parents of internalising children were less authoritarian, especially when their locus of control was internal.