Parental sensitivity and child behavioral problems: A meta-analytic review

Meta-analytic associations between observed parental sensitivity and child behavioral problems were examined (children aged 0-17 years). Studies (k = 108, N = 28,114) contained sociodemographically diverse samples, primarily from North America and Europe, reporting on parent-child dyads (95% mothers; 54% boys). Sensitivity significantly related to internalizing (k = 69 studies; N = 14,729; r = -.08, 95% CI [-.12, -.05]) and externalizing (k = 94; N = 25,418; r = -.14, 95% CI [-.17, -.11]) problems, with stronger associations found for externalizing. For internalizing problems, associations were significantly stronger among samples with low socioeconomic status (SES) versus mid-high SES, in peer-reviewed versus unpublished dissertations, and in studies using composite versus single scale sensitivity measures. No other moderators emerged as significant.

Automated summary

This study examined the meta-analytic associations between observed parental sensitivity and child behavioral problems. The results indicated that sensitivity was significantly related to internalizing and externalizing problems, with stronger associations found for externalizing. Furthermore, the associations with internalizing problems were significantly stronger among samples with low socioeconomic status, in peer-reviewed dissertations, and in studies using composite sensitivity measures.