Using the Marschak Interaction Method Rating System for Chinese Families

Relationship Between Parent-Child Interaction Pattern and Child's Social Behavior

Siu, Angela F.
Yuen, Eda Y.

¹Department of Educational Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
²Department of Child Education and Community Services, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Shatin)

Angela F. Y. Siu, Department of Educational Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong [email protected]

International Journal of Play Therapy 19(4):p 209-221, October 2010. | DOI: 10.1037/a0021278

This study investigated the use of the Marschak Interaction Method Rating System (MIMRS) in assessing parent–child interaction patterns and its relationship with preschool children's social behavior in a Chinese sample. Fifty-two preschoolers and their parents (either mother or father) participated in the study. The MIMRS demonstrated moderate to high internal consistency. There was also a moderate positive correlation between the MIMRS and the Kinship Centre Attachment Questionnaire (). With reference to parent–child interaction and the child's social behavior, a negative relationship was identified between child anger/aggressive behavior and parent's nurturing toward his or her child. In addition, a child's demonstration of exploratory behavior, reciprocity with parent, and regulatory capacities were positively related to that child's social competence and negatively related to the child's anger/aggressive behavior. The practical uses of the MIMRS as a screening tool for working with parents and children in a non-Western culture are discussed.