Parental school involvement and behavioral, social, and academic adaptation of girls and boys presenting with behavioral problems in childhood

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between parental involvement in schooling of children who presented initially with externalized behavioural problems (EBP) and their adjustment in adolescence. Parents and teachers completed questionnaires on the behavioural, social, and academic adjustment of 383 adolescents (43.9 % girls). Teachers also measured parental involvement in adolescence. The results of the hierarchical regressions demonstrated that parental involvement was linked with better behavioural, academic and social adjustment of youth, particularity among girls. This study demonstrates the relevance to of fostering the involvement in school of parents of children presenting EBP during adolescence.

Keywords: parental school involvement, externalized behavioural problems, adaptation, adolescence, sex differences