Читать книгу Introduction to Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology - Robert Weis - Страница 128

Correlational studies allow us to identify associations between variables, but they do not allow us to say that one variable caused the other. Correlations do not imply causality for two reasons.

First, a correlation between two variables does not tell us the direction of the relationship between the two variables. It is tempting to conclude that children’s behavior problems increase their parents’ levels of stress. However, it is also possible that the opposite could be true. Parents who are experiencing high levels of stress might be more likely to lose their temper toward their children and increase their children’s disruptive behavior (Figure 3.2).

Second, correlational studies do not rule out alternative explanations for covariation. A third variable might explain both the severity of children’s behavior problems and their parents’ levels of stress. For example, parental divorce, unemployment, or illness might adversely affect both children’s behavior and their parents’ stress levels.