The mediating effects of the internalized problem behaviour and social competence of six-year-olds in the impact of family interaction of five-year-olds on the externalized problem behaviour of third graders in elementary school

This study examined the mediating effects of internalized problem behavior and social competence of six-year-olds in the impact of family interaction of five-year-olds on the externalized problem behavior of third graders in elementary school. To this end, this study used the longitudinal data from 1,033 children in the 6th, 7th, and 10th year versions of Panel Study on Korean Children. A structural equation analysis was conducted to verify the research model, and the bootstrapping method was used to verify the mediating effect between variables. The results indicated that first, the family interaction of five-year-olds did not directly affect the externalized problem behavior of third graders in elementary school. Second, internalized problem behavior of six-year-olds was found to have mediating effects in the effect of family interaction of five-year-olds on externalized problem behavior of third graders in elementary school. Third, internalized problem behavior and social competence of six-year-olds showed dual mediating effects in the effect of five-year-olds’ family interaction on the externalized problem behavior of third graders in elementary school. Through this study, it was found that in order to reduce and prevent externalized problem behavior in the third graders of elementary school, parents should continue to interact positively and warmly with their children from early childhood to create a high-quality environment. In addition, it was found that it was necessary to develop children’ social competence and support them to have a healthy mental state that is not depressed or anxious.