Relationships between marital distress and child behavior problems, maternal personal adjustment, maternal personality, and maternal parenting behavior.

Examined the relationship of marital adjustment to maternal personal adjustment, maternal personality, maternal perception of child adjustment, maternal parenting behavior, and child behavior using 20 maritally distressed and 20 maritally nondistressed mothers and their children (aged 3–7 yrs). Ss were given a battery of tests that included the Beck Depression Inventory, the Trait form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Personality Research Form—Form A. Results indicate that, compared to mothers in the maritally nondistressed group, mothers in the distressed group perceived themselves as significantly more anxious and depressed and perceived their children as having significantly more behavior problems, particularly in the area of undercontrol. There were no differences between the groups with respect to maternal personality. Maritally distressed mothers showed less appropriate parenting behavior than did nondistressed mothers and the children of maritally distressed mothers were more deviant than were children of nondistressed mothers. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children's concepts of volume and flotation.

Conducted a pilot study in which children (aged 7–9 yrs and 11–13 yrs) were asked to judge which 1 out of 3 wooden blocks would float (or sink), given weight and volume information for each block relative to a block that was known to float (or sink). Analysis of explanations indicated that judgments may have been based on the size–weight illusion. An experiment exploring the basis of flotation judgments was conducted with 14 children aged 7 yrs 1 mo to 9 yrs 6 mo and 16 children aged 11 yrs 4 mo to 14 yrs 11 mo that involved a test for judgment of volume based on information integration theory. Results show that Ss aged 7–24 yrs accurately judged volume by integrating 3 dimensions—width, depth, and height—according to the multiplicative rule. A rule assessment of their flotation judgments showed no age differences in initial rule, with weight rules being most popular. However, after feedback there were marked age effects; the 7–9 yr olds abandoned their initial rule without finding an alternative, and the 11–24 yr olds were generally able to find the correct flotation rule. It is concluded that children aged 7–24 yrs can judge volume but 7–9 yr olds have difficulty with the concept of flotation, possibly because it requires mental comparison of 2 ratios, a task known to be difficult for 7–9 yr olds. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Emotion regulation in mother–child narrative co-construction: Associations with children's narratives and adaptation.

The associations were studied between early mother-child co-construction of a separation–reunion narrative and children's concurrent and later (a) emotion narratives and (b) behavior problems. 51 children and their mothers were observed during a co-construction task when the children were aged 4.5 yrs. At ages 4.5 and 5.5 yrs, children's narratives were elicited using the MacArthur Story-Stem Battery (MSSB), and mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Results showed that children who were more emotionally coherent during the co-constructions had MSSB narratives that were more coherent, had more prosocial themes, and had fewer aggressive themes at ages 4.5 and 5.5 yrs. Moreover, such children had fewer behavior problems at both ages. The relations between narrative processes and emotion regulation are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Congruence of parental perception, marital satisfaction, and child adjustment.

Fathers and mothers of 95 children 5–7 yrs old completed the Short Marital Adjustment Test, Interpersonal Checklist, and the Children's Behavior Checklist to assess marital satisfaction, congruence of self- and mate-perceptions, and agreement in parents' perceptions of their child and child adjustment, respectively. All variables were significantly, positively intercorrelated. Strongest association was between congruence in parents' perceptions of the child and child adjustment. Similarity in partners' self-concepts and psychological empathy were significantly associated with marital satisfaction and child adjustment. A general dimension of family harmony (vs conflict) is seen as contributing to children's social adjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Développement langagier et cognitif de l'enfant durant les trois premières années en relation avec la durée des vocalisations maternelles et les jouets présents dans l'environment: étude longitudinale auprès de populations á risque.

This study compares language and cognitive development of children from different socio-economic backgrounds, during the first three years of their life, in relation to the duration of maternal vocalizations and to the number of toys available to the child in his/her environment. A total of 209 mother–child dyads participated in the study. The sample was divided in three groups of mothers: 65 teenage mothers (aged 14–19 yrs), 91 mothers of low socioeconomic status (LSES; aged 20–37 yrs), and 53 mothers of higher socioeconomic status (HSES; aged 22–37 yrs). Results showed that children of teenage mothers and children of LSES mothers had a language development and a cognitive development inferior to those of children of HSES mothers. The duration of maternal vocalization at 6 and at 18 mo of age was related to measures of child development, particularly to child language development at 18 and 24 mo. Furthermore, the number of linguistic and social toys in the child's environment was correlated with some measures of language and cognitive development. Variability in children's language and cognitive development is related to environmental factors which seem more significant at certain times than others in the child's development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Maternal depressive symptoms in autism: Response to psychoeducational intervention.

Assessed the impact of psychoeducation intervention on the depressive symptoms of 28 mothers of young children with autism or related disorders (aged 2–6 yrs). Mothers in 2 demographically comparable treatment and no-treatment groups completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale at the time of the child's diagnosis, and at 6 and 18 mo later. Repeated measures ANOVA procedures revealed a significant treatment time interaction. Mothers who participated in the psychoeducational treatment program decreased in depressive symptoms over time, and mothers without treatment showed no change over time. Results are discussed in terms of understanding maternal depression in most of these families as a modifiable adjustment reaction to the stress of caring for a child with a chronic disability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The timing of puberty and its relationship to adolescent and parent perceptions of family interactions.

133 parent–adolescent dyads, composed of 49 fathers (aged 33–61 yrs), 84 mothers (aged 32–53 yrs), and 69 sons and 64 daughters between the ages of 10 and 17 yrs, enrolled in a 1-wk family oriented summer educational program completed questionnaires evaluating family interactions in terms of support, control, and conflict. Pubertal maturation was assessed by visible signs of secondary sex characteristics. Results indicate that the relative timing of pubescence was of far greater importance to the perceptions of parents than of their adolescent children in regard to family interactions. In general, relations with early maturing sons and late maturing daughters were perceived to be superior for parents. Parents perceived less conflict with early maturing sons than with normally and late maturing sons, more conflict with early maturing daughters than early maturing sons, and more conflict with late maturing sons than daughters. Early maturing daughters were perceived to be a source of stress and anxiety for parents. Fathers perceived that they received more affection from early than normally and late maturing sons, and mothers of early maturers felt more stressed than mothers of normally or late maturing children. Early maturing daughters reported more conflict with parents than did their normally and late maturing peers. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Marital quality and mother–child and father–child interactions with school-aged children.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 22(5) of Developmental Psychology (see record 2008-10956-001). In the article, the second author's name was misspelled in the issue's table of contents, title of the article, and page headings of the article. The entries have been corrected and are included in the erratum.] Mother–child and father–child teaching interactions of 60 families (parents aged 31–37 yrs, children aged 5.5–7.5 yrs) were videotaped, from which frequency counts of efficacious teaching behaviors were obtained for each parent–child teaching interaction. Parents completed the Scale of Marriage Problems. A dyad score of marital problems was formed by adding the husbands' and wives' scores, and a 2-level variable of marital problems was then derived by performing a median split on the marital problem dyad scores. Normative comparisons suggested that the couples whose scores fell below the median were characterized as nondistressed and the couples whose scores fell above the median were characterized as slightly discontented with their marital relationship. Few differences in teaching styles were found between mothers and fathers in the nondistressed group. Mothers in the slightly discontented group used more questions, positive feedback, informational feedback, and verbal task management and intruded less often into their children's learning effort than did the fathers in this group. Fathers with increased reports of marital problems used less positive feedback and were more intrusive; mothers in this group appeared to compensate for a less-than-satisfactory marriage by being more involved in teaching their children. In turn, children of slightly discontented mothers were more actively responsive to their teaching behaviors than were children of nondistressed mothers. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prospective study of postpartum depression: 4?-year follow-up of women and children.

The consequences of maternal postpartum depression for mothers and children were investigated in a 4?-yr follow-up study, which included 70 of 99 women who had participated in an earlier study of postpartum depression. Information about maternal adjustment and depression during the follow-up period and child adjustment at age 4? yrs was obtained. Women who had experienced a postpartum depression were predicted to be at increased risk for subsequent depression and poor adjustment of their child. Postpartum depression was directly related to subsequent depression but not child problems. Later depression was related to child problems at 4? yrs. We concluded that postpartum depression may increase risk for later maternal depression and in turn increases risk for child behavior problems. Intervening with women who have experienced a postpartum depression may reduce likelihood of future depressions and child behavior problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of age and ritalin dosage on the mother–child interactions of hyperactive children.

Observed interactions between mothers and 54 hyperactive children in 3 age groups (4 yrs to 5 yrs 11 mo, 6 yrs to 7 yrs 11 mo, and 8 yrs to 9 yrs 11 mo) during a drug–placebo evaluation of 2 daily dosages (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) of Ritalin (methylphenidate). Results indicate few age or drug effects on social interactions during free play; however, numerous age and drug effects were seen in the task period. With age, children increased their compliance and decreased their negative behavior, and their mothers decreased their levels of control and management. Both doses of methylphenidate increased child compliance equally, but only at the higher dose were significant drug effects found on mothers' behavior: Mothers decreased their control and negative behavior toward children during the high-dose condition. Drug effects on these interactions were not affected by children's ages. It is concluded that although the parent–child interactions of hyperactive children improve with age, methylphenidate produces further improvements in task-related interactions. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Construction et validation du Questionnaire sur les réactions parentales aux émotions positives exprimées par l'enfant.

Studied the psychometric properties of the French-language Questionnaire on Parental Reactions to Children's Expression of Positive Emotions (QPRCEPE). The QPRCEPE includes 12 scenarios that may elicit positive affect in children. The scenarios are accompanied by 4 parental reactions: socialization, encouragement, reprimand, and discomfort. Two studies were conducted in Canada. The results of Study 1, performed with 164 mothers of children aged 4-7 yrs, showed good construct validity. The results of Study 2, performed with 200 mothers of children aged 4-7 yrs, showed that each QPRCEPE subscale had satisfactory internal consistency and high temporal stability. It is maintained that the findings are consistent with the model proposed by T. Dix (1991), according to which parents' emotional state affects their child rearing practices and their perception and interpretation of child behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

My children and me: Midlife evaluations of grown children and of self.

215 midlife parents (mean age 53.7 yrs) were interviewed about how their adult children (mean age 27.6 yrs) had "turned out." These assessments were then related to parents' views of themselves. Perceived accomplishments and adjustment of children were expected to be positively linked with parents' well-being (e.g., self-acceptance, environmental mastery, purpose in life), and social comparisons were hypothesized to contribute to the link between parents' assessments of children and their own well-being. Multiple regression analyses revealed that children's perceived adjustment significantly predicted 6 of 7 well-being outcomes for mothers and fathers. Children's attainment was less strongly linked with parental outcomes. Personal comparisons were significant negative predictors: Parents who saw their children as better adjusted than themselves had lower well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mothers' and fathers' perceptions of child deviance: Roles of parent and child behaviors and parent adjustment.

The mothers (n?=?120) and fathers (n?=?85) of children with conduct problems (ages?=?3–8 years) completed two measures of child adjustment (Child Behavior Checklist, Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory), three personal adjustment measures (Beck Depression Inventory, Marital Adjustment Test, Parenting Stress Index), and a Life Experience Survey and were observed at home interacting with their children. In addition, teachers (n?=?107) completed the Behar Preschool Questionnaire. Fathers' perceptions of their children's behaviors were significantly correlated with teachers' ratings, but mothers' ratings were not. Correlations showed that mothers who were depressed or stressed due to marital problems perceived more child deviant behaviors and interacted with their children with more commands and criticisms. Fathers' perceptions and behaviors were relatively unaffected by personal adjustment measures. Differences in these perceptions and behaviors between mothers and fathers are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Inhibition de la symbolisation, fonction contenante et identification projective chez des enfants psychotiques et leurs professeurs.

Tested hypotheses derived from the psychoanalytic theory of the containing function which holds that psychotic children have an inhibition of the symbolic function and are therefore obliged to use someone else (e.g., a teacher) as a container to perform this function for them. Human Ss: 11 male Canadian school-aged children (aged 7–12 yrs) (special education students) (mixed psychotic disorders) (frequent psychotic crises) (target group). 11 male Canadian school-aged children (aged 7–22 yrs) (special education students) (mixed psychotic disorders) (infrequent psychotic crises) (control group). The main hypothesis was that failure of the containing function in the student–teacher relationship results in frequent psychotic crises. Target group Ss were paired with same-age control group Ss who had the same diagnosis and the same special education teacher. All Ss completed questionnaires and projective techniques assessing the symbolization function and alexithymia. Ss' teachers completed questionnaires, projective techniques, and interviews assessing their capacity for empathy, personal efficacy in relation to each S, and selected aspects of their relationship with each S (e.g., identification, splitting, projection, and idealization). Results from the target group and the control group were compared. Tests used: Several instruments, including the TAT and the Alexithymia Provoked Response Questionnaire (L. Brunet, 1993). (English abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality resemblances between unwed mothers and their adopted-away offspring.

In a sample of 300 Texas adoptive families, there was a tendency for adopted children to be more extraverted and emotionally stable than biological children (3–18 yrs of age). For extraversion there was a low but significant resemblance between unwed mothers and their adopted-away children; mothers had been administered the 16 PF, children the High School or Children's Personality Questionnaire. Paradoxically, however, children of mothers with elevated MMPI scores tended to be rated as more emotionally stable than children of mothers with better adjustment on the MMPI. This latter finding is interpreted as suggesting an interaction between emotional sensitivity and the early environment. According to this hypothesis, individuals with genotypes making them vulnerable to their environments could thrive in the warm climate of the adoptive families, but turn out relatively badly in the presumably less benign families in which the unwed mothers were reared. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The development of ADHD boys: A 12-year follow-up.

12 yrs after initial assessment, 33 male attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Ss (aged 14.4–24.9 yrs) were compared with 52 normal controls. Controls (selected at follow-up) were sex-, SES-, language-, and age-matched. According to childhood scores from the IOWA Conners Teacher Rating Scale, 24 ADHD Ss were inattentive/overactive (IO) and 9 were aggressive plus inattentive/overactive (A–IO). Ss and parents were interviewed and Ss completed a battery of tests. Core deficits of the disorder persisted in more than half of the ADHD group. IO Ss did not differ significantly from the controls in psychiatric functioning, except for their persistent ADHD. A–IO Ss had received the most individual and residential treatment for their behavior problems. ADHD Ss experienced significantly more problems in high school and displayed significantly poorer spelling, arithmetic, and reading comprehension skills than did controls. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Home observations of mothers and sibling dyads comprised of Down's syndrome and nonhandicapped children.

Observed interaction in 31 mother–child–child triads in which 1 of the children had Down""s syndrome. Down""s syndrome siblings were all aged 18–117 mo, nonhandicapped siblings were aged 12–132 mo, and mothers were aged 30–46 yrs. Mothers were more positive and directive toward their children with Down""s syndrome but received more positive initiations from their nonhandicapped children. Significant reciprocity between mother and child was found in dyads with a handicapped child but not in dyads with a nonhandicapped child. The handicapped child""s negative behavior toward the sibling was the most important predictor of interaction across the triad. Individual differences in the social behavior of children with Down""s syndrome may have an impact throughout family systems. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Follow-up study of parents in custody and access disputes.

35 parents responded to a questionnaire a minimum of 1 yr after assessment was completed for dispute over child custody and access. 63 children, 1–17 yrs old, were involved. In retrospect, parents found the assessment and/or mediation by mental health clinicians to be helpful and satisfying. At follow-up, parents reported a reduction in personal stress and an improvement in the children's adjustment. Joint custody arrangements were least likely to survive at follow-up, raising questions about the advisability of this custody arrangement. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship problems in the early stages of marriage: A longitudinal investigation.

131 couples (aged 16–35 yrs) were assessed premarriage for relationship problems and adjustment. At each follow-up (12 wks and 1.5, 3, 4, and 5 yrs) a portion of the sample completed an interview, a set of interaction tasks, and the questionnaire. Consistent patterns were found among 3 methods (mean problem intensity, percentage checked in problem areas, and percentage ranked) of assessing couples' problems. Subsequent analyses on problem intensity ratings indicated a moderately strong association between male and female ratings at each stage of family development. Changes in clusters of problems were found between stages consistent with some changes in developmental tasks predicted by stage theories of family development. Support was found for the assumption that men and women confront developmental tasks at different rates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between maternal problem-solving style and adolescent social adjustment.

Examined the relationship between social functioning in adolescents and their mothers' conflict-handling style, categorized according to 5 conflict-handling styles identified by M. A. Rahim (see record 1983-27060-001). 89 adolescents (aged 11–17 yrs) and their mothers participated. Mothers completed a measure assessing their style of handling conflict, mothers and fathers completed measures of the adolescents' social functioning, and behavioral observations of the mothers and adolescents were conducted. Results indicate that mothers who scored high on the integrating style (a style using exchange of information and examination of differences to come to a mutually acceptable, often creative, solution) measure had adolescents who were better socially adjusted according to mother, father, and behavioral observation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)