Parental Child-Rearing Attitudes Associated with Type a Behaviors in Children

Abstract

The relation of Type A behaviors to parental child-rearing attitudes was assessed for 177 mothers, 153 fathers, and their children in preschools. Type A behaviors of children were measured on the Japanese version of the Matthews Youth Test for Health (MYTH), and parental child-rearing attitudes were measured on the Parents' Attitudes Test (PAT). Children were classified as Type A and Type B on the basis of their MYTH scores, and parental child-rearing attitudes in the two types were compared in a combination of parental sex (mothers vs fathers) and child's sex (boys vs girls). Analysis showed that especially mothers and fathers of Type A boys had less concern for their children than their peers whose boys were classified as Type B. The notion that boys showing Type A behaviors might develop Type A behavior patterns by striving to obtain more expression of concern or affection from their parents was presented.