Parenting and family functioning among irresponsible families, families with behavioral disorder children and normal families

In the past two decades, the relationship between family functioning and parenting style has been studied by many researchers. In the present study family functioning of three groups of families, irresponsible families, families with behavioral disorder children and normal families was investigated.

The McMaster model of family functioning questionnaire and baumarind parenting style questionnaire have been filled for three groups of children: 36 children with behavioral disorders, 65 children of irresponsible families and 444 children of normal families.

Results of the study indicated that, family functioning among the irresponsible families and families with behavioral disorder children was statistically lower than that of the normal families. Low family functioning in irresponsible families and families with behavioral disorder children was positively related to authoritarian parenting style. Family functioning in normal families had positive relationship with uninvolved and authoritarian parenting styles and negative relationship with authoritative parenting style. Irresponsible families and families with behavioral disorder children had more authoritarian and uninvolved parenting styles than authoritative parenting style.

Parenting styles play an important role in family functioning and family functioning plays an important role in children’s health