Unravelling the effect of household chaos on parenting

Andeweg, S.M. (2021)

Doctoral Thesis

Ample research has shown that more household chaos is related to lower parenting quality, but it is yet unknown whether this is a causal relation. This dissertation focuses on two research questions. The first is whether household chaos has a causal effect on parenting. The second is whether the effect of household chaos on parenting is stronger for parents with certain characteristics, such as high sensory-processing sensitivity (SPS), low self-regulation, and more impulsivity. Two experimental studies were conducted in which household chaos was manipulated. The results show that household chaos affects both positive and negative parenting, but only in demanding parenting situations. Moderation by impulsivity was not found and moderation by SPS and by self-regulation was inconsistent. Regarding SPS, this may exacerbate the effect of household chaos on parenting in case of extreme differences between or high levels of household chaos. Regarding self-regulation, parents with low self-regulation may not have enough self-regulation capacities to simultaneously lower their levels of household chaos and refrain from harsh discipline. These results form a promising vantagepoint for further research, which could eventually lead to prevention and intervention programs to improve parenting by reducing household chaos.

• Household chaos
• Parenting
• Harsh discipline
• Sensitivity
• Sensory-processing sensitivity
• Self-regulation
• Impulsivity
• Experiment
• RCT
• Intervention

• All authors: Andeweg, S.M.
• Supervisor: Alink, L.R.A.
• Co-supervisor: Prevoo, M.J.L.; Rippe, R.C.A.
• Committee: Vedder, P.H.; Harmelen, A. van; Overbeek, G.J.; Crouch, J.L.; Bos, P.A.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Institute of Education and Child Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University
• Date: 2021-03-04
• ISBN (print): 9789464164107