• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2003

The influence of depression, self-esteem, and well-being components of maternal psychological environment on child behavior problems was examined in Korean and American populations. Findings were that the level of mother's self-esteem was lower in Korean than in American mothers; the level of mother's "autonomy" and "environmental mastery" was lower in Korean than in American mothers; and "somatic complaints" were more frequent in the Korean group. The relationship between maternal psychological environment and child behavior problems was greater in the American group. In the Korean group, autonomy and enviornmental mastery were negative components causing both internalized and externalized behavor problems in children. Mothers' depression was the most powerful variable, affecting internalized and externalized behavior problems in both Korean and American groups.