The additive and interactive effects of parental harsh discipline and boys’ gender-related traits on boys’ externalizing problem behaviors

The present study aimed to examine the additive and interactive effects of both paternal and maternal harsh discipline (corporal punishment and psychological aggression) and boys’ gender-related traits (masculinity and femininity) on boys’ externalizing problem behaviors in China. Chinese boys (n = 1042) aged 7–13 years were instructed to independently complete the Chinese version of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTSPC), the Children’s Sex Role Inventory (CSRI) and the Achenbach Youth Self-Report (YSR). A series of hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to test the additive and interactive effects of parental harsh discipline and boys’ gender-related traits on boys’ externalizing problem behaviors. Results indicated that both paternal and maternal harsh discipline and boys’ gender-related traits were independently related to boys’ externalizing problem behaviors. In addition, there were no significant interactions between parental harsh discipline and boys’ gender-related traits, thus supporting an additive model in the prediction of boys’ externalizing problem behaviors. These findings indicated that decreasing both paternal and maternal harsh discipline and providing advice and effective problem-solving strategies for higher levels of masculinity and lower levels of femininity boys would be helpful for effectively reducing their externalizing problem behaviors.