Introduction:

The emotional competences of the parents are a protective factor for strengthening the self-concept in children; However, when they aren’t expressed properly, they can generate internalizing problems in the children. The empirical evidence in Colombia on the relationship between these variables hasn’t been sufficient, so it is essential to continue its study.

Objective:

To identify the relationship between parents’ emotional competences, the level of self-concept and internalizing behaviors such as anxiety, depression and somatic complaints in children.

Method:

In this correlational research, the Parent Educational Style Assessment Questionnaire (CEEP), the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL)parent format and the Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale were applied to children. The participants were 364 made up of 182 dyads (parents and children from 8 to 12 years old) from public and private schools in Bogotá, selected under a non-probabilistic sampling for convenience.

Results:

A statistically significant positive relationship was found between impulsiveness in parents and anxious/depressive symptoms (Rho = 0,213; p= 0,04) and isolated/depressive (Rho= 0,210; p= 0,004) in children. Inverse relationships were found between emotional management and the intellectual component of self-concept (Rho=-0,148; p= 0,046), between anxious/depressive symptoms and behavioral components (Rho = -0,240; p= 0,001), physical (Rho = -0,182; p= 0,014) and lack of self-concept anxiety (Rho=-0,213; p= 0,004).

Conclusions:

The relationships found between impulsivity and internalizing symptoms in children show that excessive and unjustified anger of parents can be associated with excessive concern and social isolation in children. These findings allow us to suggest for future studies, to evaluate the effect of programs to prevent anxiety and depression problems in children through training in emotional regulation for parents.

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