Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between Bahrainis’ mothers parenting styles and their young children behavioral problems. The sample composed of 255 mothers and 255 teachers of preschool children. Mothers responded to the Parenting Style Instrument whereas the teachers of the same children responded to the Behavioral Problems Instrument. The results indicated that authoritarian parenting style (42.69%) was the dominant style among Bahraini mothers of preschoolers from mothers’ perceptions. It is followed by cruelty style (13.04%) and authoritative style (11.86%). The results also showed a significant correlation between two parenting styles authoritarian and cruelty used by Bahraini mothers and attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, and aggression among Bahraini preschoolers. It was found the authoritarian style is positively correlated with the three behavioral problems; whereas the cruelty style is positively correlated with aggression only.