ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the parent-child relationship and on the proximal determinants of the parenting process, that is, child and parent personality characteristics. Researcher shows a wide interest in the relationship between family characteristics and disruptive and delinquent child behaviours. Studies agree that there is a relationship between disruptive and delinquent child behaviours and various family factors, such as lack of supervision, harsh punishment and weak attachment. The literature offers ample evidence that there is a substantial relationship between dysfunctional parenting practices and the development of disruptive behaviours in children. Transactional models emphasise that parenting not only influences children's adjustment, but that child characteristics also affect parenting and adjustment. The complex interplay between child temperament, environment and problem behaviours is especially highlighted in a series of Dutch studies conducted by Paulussen-Hoogeboom and colleagues. Studies agree that disruptive child behaviours are the result of complex person-environment interactions in which parents' childrearing practices play a key role.
