A study of family dynamics and children with problematic behaviour using SYMLOG

Abstract

Behavioural problems in childhood are not uncommon and most problems seem to disappear as children grow up. However there is a significant group of children who experience problems which remain with them into adulthood. The are many explanations as to the causes of such behaviours, family environment being one of the most often cited and researched areas. Although the link between the family and childhood behavioural problems has been well researched in psychology, there remain gaps in our knowledge. Family dynamics, in particular, the perceptions of family members is such an area. Furthermore, when this aspect of family life is researched it tends to be from the perspective of the mother and/or the child with problems. The voices of fathers and siblings are often excluded. The present study aimed to look at the relationship between behavioural problems and family dynamics, using Bales' System for Multiple Level Observation of Groups (SYMLOG). Participants were fifty families with children of intermediate age (11-13 years) from the Wellington region. They were divided into three groups according to the children's scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Scale (Goodman, 1997). The three groups represented families of children with difficulties, families of children with highly prosocial skills and a control group of families of children with a normal range of strengths and difficulties. The families then completed the SYMLOG questionnaire. Results from the questionnaires were averaged and presented in Field Diagrams. It was predicted that there would be differences in the field diagrams of the three groups of families. It was also predicted that parents of the children with difficulties would rate their children less favourably. The last prediction was that children with behavioural difficulties would rate their parents less favourably. The field diagrams supported the first and the second predictions but not the third. Other interesting findings revealed by the study were discussed.