The impact of child parent relationship therapy on child behavior and parent-child relationships: An examination of parental divorce.

The current study used a mixed methodological approach to examine the impact of Child-Parent-Relationship Therapy (CPRT) on divorced parents and their children. Specifically, in the present study, the authors investigated parents' perceptions of the impact of CPRT on the parent, the child, and the parent–child relationship. CPRT was found to be helpful in reducing parenting stress and child behavior problems. Parents also reported that CPRT helped them feel more connected to their children and provided them with new tools for parenting. The results of the current study add to the current literature on divorce, affirming that CPRT may be an effective intervention for children of divorce. Limitations of the study and implications for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Everyday problems and stress faced by parents of children with cochlear implants.

Objectives: To explore everyday problems associated with parenting children who undergo cochlear implantation (CI), to investigate parents' interpersonal relationships as a resource for collaborative problem solving, and to examine links among parents' everyday problems, stress, and life satisfaction. Method: 31 parents of deaf children with CI responded to open-ended questions regarding types of everyday problems encountered within the specific context of parenting those children. Parents also completed the Parental Stress Index/Short Form and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Results: Problems were categorized in 9 domains: implant drawbacks, communication difficulties, child's behavior and character, socialization, habilitation demands and parenting role, financial difficulties, services, educating others and/or advocacy, and academic concerns. Professionals, spouses, and other parents of deaf children were frequently nominated partners for collaborative everyday problem solving and coping. Significant correlations emerged among parents' everyday problems, stress, and life satisfaction. Conclusions: Findings enhance understanding regarding the contextual specificity of everyday problems associated with raising deaf children with CI, beyond that obtained from a general measure of parental stress. This, in turn, can guide habilitation teams in working with families of implanted children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Behavior problems among young children in low-income urban day care centers

The purposes of this study were to describe: (a) the frequency and correlates of behavior problems among a sample of 2- and 3-year-old children from low-income families as seen by their parents and day care teachers, (b) the degree to which parents and teachers agree about the children's behavior problems in their respective contexts, and (c) family characteristics that distinguish toddlers with behavior problems both at home and at day care from the rest of the sample. Parents of 133 toddlers from 10 Chicago day care centers completed measures of child behavior problems, child behavioral intensity, parenting self-efficacy, discipline strategies, and stress. Children's day care teachers also completed a measure of child behavior problems. Parent-reported behavior problems were associated with higher child behavioral intensity, greater parent stress, lower self-efficacy, and discipline strategies characterized by irritability, coercion, and inconsistency. Parent and teacher ratings on child behavior were correlated for boys' behavior problems only. Parents reported more child behavior problems than teachers. Approximately 8% of the children were rated as having behavior problems at home and at day care. Although most of the children are functioning well, many of these parents and toddlers are engaged in highly stressful and coercive relationships.     

Mealtime behavior and parent-child interaction: a comparison of children with cystic fibrosis, children with feeding problems, and nonclinic controls

Examined the role of family interaction factors in dietary compliance problems reported by parents of children with cystic fibrosis (CF). The family mealtime interactions of children with CF, children with feeding problems and nonclinic controls were observed, and parents monitored children's eating behavior at home. Parents of children with CF reported more concern about feeding problems and recorded more disruptive mealtime behavior than parents of nonclinic children. Observational data showed children with CF to display overall rates of disruptive mealtime behavior not significantly different from either comparison group. Mothers of children with CF were observed to engage in higher rates of aversive interaction with their child than did mothers of nonclinic controls. Fathers of children with CF reported lower marital satisfaction than fathers of controls. Both mothers and fathers of children with CF reported lower parenting self-efficacy than non-CF families. Clinical implications are discussed.     

Fathers' and Mothers' Parenting Behavior and Beliefs as Predictors of Children's Social Adjustment in the Transition to School.

The current study focuses on the association between children's social adjustment in the transition to school and the early elementary school years and their fathers' and mothers' parenting behaviors and beliefs and quality of marital relationship. The authors found that the most competent and least problematic children from the teachers' perspectives are those whose fathers are sensitive and supportive of their children's autonomy, whose mothers' parenting beliefs support self-directed child behavior, and whose parents maintain an emotionally intimate relationship. These findings have implications for efforts to prevent early school problems in children and support the children's transitions into formal schooling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial therapy with single parents: Effects on parental acceptance, empathy, and stress.

Determined the effectiveness of 10-wk filial therapy with parent–child play sessions as a method of prevention and intervention for single parents and their children. The experimental group was comprised of 20 mothers and 2 fathers. There were 19 mothers and 2 fathers in the control group. Parents ranged in age from 19 to 47 yrs. There were 10 girls and 12 boys in the experimental group and 9 girls and 12 boys in the control group. The children in both groups ranged in ages from 3 to 7 yrs. Results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that single parents in the experimental group significantly increased both their attitude of acceptance and their empathic behavior toward their children, significantly reduced their level of stress related to parenting, and reported significantly fewer problems with their children's behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stress, coping, and perceptions of child behavior in parents of preschoolers with cerebral palsy.

This study explored the relationships among stress, coping, and perceptions of child behavior in parents of preschoolers with cerebral palsy. Parents (62 mothers and 22 fathers) completed measures of parenting stress, depression, parenting satisfaction, social support, and child behavior problems. For mothers, only parenting self-efficacy was a significant predictor of maternal perceptions of child adjustment. High levels of maternal social support satisfaction were related to low levels of depression and parenting stress and to high levels of parenting satisfaction. High levels of depression were related to high levels of parenting stress and low levels of parenting satisfaction. For fathers, high levels of distress were related to low levels of parenting satisfaction and high levels of child maladjustment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parental perceptions of child behavior problems, parenting self-esteem, and mothers' reported stress in younger and older hyperactive and normal children.

40 parents of younger and older hyperactives (Hs; aged 5 yrs 1 mo and 8 yrs 4 mo, respectively) and 51 parents of age-matched normal controls completed measures of hyperactivity and child behavior, parenting self-esteem (PSE), and parenting stress. PSE was lower in parents of Hs than in parents of controls. Self-esteem related to skill/knowledge as a parent was age related, with parents of older Hs reporting the lowest levels; self-esteem related to valuing/comfort in the parenting role was not related to the child's age. Mothers of Hs, especially younger ones, reported markedly higher levels of stress associated with both child characteristics and their own feelings, such as depression, self-blame, and social isolation. Consistent inverse relationships were found between PSE and perceptions of child problems, whereas ratings of child disturbance and maternal stress were positively correlated. Findings are discussed in terms of the social contexts surrounding hyperactivity and the need for multidimensional assessments and interventions in families of Hs. (47 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genotype-environment correlations in late childhood and early adolescence: antisocial behavioral problems and coercive parenting

A key question for understanding the interplay between nature and nurture in development is the direction of effects in socialization. A longitudinal adoption design provides a unique opportunity to investigate this issue in terms of genotype-environment correlations for behavioral problems. As part of the Colorado Adoption Project, adopted children were classified as being at genetic risk (N = 38) or not at genetic risk (N = 50) for antisocial behavior based on their biological mothers' self-report history of antisocial behavior collected prior to the birth of the child. From age 7 through age 12, adoptive parents reported on the negative control, positive parenting, and inconsistent parenting they use in managing their child's behavior. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that children at genetic risk were consistently more likely to receive negative parenting from their adoptive parents than children not at genetic risk, indicating an evocative genotype-environment correlation. However, the findings also showed that most of the association between negative parenting and children's externalizing behavior was not explicable on the basis of an evocative gene-environment correlation and that an additional environmentally mediated parental effect on children's behavior was plausible.     

Child parent relationship training: Parents' perceptions of process and outcome.

Child Parent Relationship Training (CPRT) is a play-based parent consultation model designed for children (ages 3–10) who may be struggling emotionally or behaviorally. CPRT aims to help parents develop empathy and appreciation for their children, increase parenting ability and confidence, and strengthen parent–child relationships. To date, the majority of CPRT studies have been quantitative in nature. There has been limited research on the effectiveness of CPRT using qualitative methodologies, but existing qualitative studies show promising results. The current study utilized an ethnographic approach to examine the acceptability and perceived effectiveness of CPRT. Findings indicated that the parents perceived the CPRT model to be both acceptable and effective (e.g., increased knowledge and confidence in parenting, enhanced parent–child communication, strengthened parent–child relationships, and reduced behavioral problems among child participants). Limitations of the study and implications for future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A preliminary study of parental stress and child behaviour in families with twins conceived by in-vitro fertilization

This paper reports on a preliminary study of parenting quality, parental stress and child behaviour in families with twins conceived by in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in comparison with families with naturally conceived twins. No differences were found between the types of family in parenting quality or child behaviour. However, parents whose children were conceived by IVF reported greater stress associated with parenting than parents with naturally conceived twins.     

Beta-lactamase inhibitors: agents to overcome bacterial resistance

Parental illness can have a profound impact on family relationships and children's behaviour. The amount and nature of communication between parents and children about the illness can play an important role, both positively and negatively, in mediating the outcomes. When children have a disability, families can be reluctant to communicate with them about family difficulties. They are often concerned about the impact that parental unavailability may have on their child's life. This paper reports on three families in which the mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and one child in the family had a disability. The extent and specific characteristics of their communication about the maternal illness with their children, behavioural changes in the children, explanations of communication strategies and attributions of behavioural changes are described. Family coping strategies are examined with reference to Lazarus's process model of stress and coping and the use of either problem-focused or emotion-focused strategies. Implications for possible clinical interventions are proposed. In particular it is suggested that families be offered consultation about: what children might understand; ways in which to communicate effectively; and strategies for coping with the long-term implications of serious parental illness.     

Evaluative pressure in mothers: Effects of situation, maternal, and child characteristics on autonomy supportive versus controlling behavior.

This study examined the effects of situational pressure and maternal characteristics (social contingent self-worth, controlling parenting attitudes) on mothers' autonomy support versus control in the social domain. Sixty 4th-grade children and their mothers worked on a laboratory task in preparation for meeting new children, with mothers in either an evaluation (mothers told their child would be evaluated by other children) or no-evaluation (no mention of evaluation) condition. Mothers in the evaluation condition spent more time giving answers to their children. Mothers with controlling parenting attitudes exhibited more controlling behavior. Further, mothers with high social contingent self-worth in the evaluation condition were most controlling. Results suggest the importance of interactions between situations and maternal characteristics in determining levels of mothers' autonomy support versus control and have implications for helping parents support children's autonomy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The transition to parenthood among young African American and Latino couples: Relational predictors of risk for parental dysfunction.

This study examined relationship factors associated with parental dysfunction among young African American and Latino couples. Parent dysfunction was defined in terms of parenting stress, child abuse potential, physically punitive behavior, and paternal disengagement. Fathers who reported positive relations with their own parents and partners before childbirth reported more positive adjustments to parenthood at follow-up. The quality of the prebirth partner relationship buffered the impact of a relationship breakup on a young father's adjustment to parenthood. The quality of a mother's relationship with her parents was the best predictor of her adjustment to parenthood. However, mothers who reported large declines in the quality of the partner relationship also reported high levels of parenting stress. Clinical and policy implications of findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Information booklets about cancer: factors influencing patient satisfaction and utilization

OBJECTIVE: This research examined demographic and functional characteristics of parents of children with sexual behavior problems. METHOD: Families of 72 children with sexual behavior problems completed a structured interview and several psychometric devices at intake into a treatment outcome study. RESULTS: As a group, caregivers manifested signs of a high level of life stress across a wide array of variables, including income, criminal arrest, family violence, sexual abuse, social support, modulation of emotion, and attachment to their child. Foster parents consistently reported significantly lower levels of stress than biological parents. CONCLUSION: Parents and families of children with sexual behavior problems appear multiply entrapped. They are highly distressed and somewhat isolated. The data convincingly demonstrate that in order to maximize the efficacy of treatment for children with sexual behavior problems, parents must be centrally involved and receive services coordinated with those of their child. Group treatment may be advisable to foster formation of a network of peer support for caregivers of children with sexual behavior problems.     

Discovering the moments of movement in filial therapy: A single case qualitative study.

This study examines the process of change in filial therapy, a type of play therapy, which engages parents as therapeutic agents in working with troubled children. Outcome studies have supported the efficacy of this approach in building parent-child relationships, reducing parenting stress, and reducing child behavior problems. The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the process in order to understand how these changes occur. The researchers compare the viewpoints of the therapist, the parents, and an independent observer, noting the points in therapy which are deemed facilitative or inhibitive of change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parenting practices and problem behavior across three generations: Monitoring, harsh discipline, and drug use in the intergenerational transmission of externalizing behavior.

Using data from grandparents (G1), parents (G2), and children (G3), this study examined continuity in parental monitoring, harsh discipline, and child externalizing behavior across generations, and the contribution of parenting practices and parental drug use to intergenerational continuity in child externalizing behavior. Structural equation and path modeling of prospective, longitudinal data from 808 G2 participants, their G1 parents, and their school-age G3 children (n = 136) showed that parental monitoring and harsh discipline demonstrated continuity from G1 to G2. Externalizing behavior demonstrated continuity from G2 to G3. Continuity in parenting practices did not explain the intergenerational continuity in externalizing behavior. Rather, G2 adolescent externalizing behavior predicted their adult substance use, which was associated with G3 externalizing behavior. A small indirect effect of G1 harsh parenting on G3 was observed. Interparental abuse and socidemographic risk were included as controls but did not explain the intergenerational transmission of externalizing behavior. Results highlight the need for preventive interventions aimed at breaking intergenerational cycles in poor parenting practices. More research is required to identify parental mechanisms influencing the continuity of externalizing behavior across generations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Embryo donation families: A follow-up in middle childhood.

Couples who conceive using donated embryos rear a child to whom they are genetically unrelated. It has been suggested that this may have negative consequences for parenting and child development. Findings are presented of the 2nd phase of an exploratory study of families with a child conceived through embryo donation. Seventeen embryo donation families with a 5- to 9-year-old child were compared with 24 adoptive families and 28 in vitro fertilization families. The quality of the mother's parenting and the child's social and emotional development were assessed using standardized interviews and questionnaires administered to mothers and teachers. Embryo donation children were not at increased risk of psychological problems during middle childhood, and the families were generally functioning well. However, higher emotional overinvolvement of embryo donation parents was found, along with more reluctance to disclose the method of family creation. These preliminary findings are discussed in terms of implications regarding the importance of genetic and gestational relationships between parents and children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Positive parenting, family cohesion, and child social competence among immigrant Latino families.

The relation between positive parenting, family cohesion, and child social competence was examined among Latino families (predominantly from Mexico) who were recent immigrants to the United States. A mixed method study was conducted, including both pre- and post-test self-reported surveys (9-month interval) and qualitative data from focus groups. A total of 282 parents and 282 children (ages 9–12) participated in the survey study. Results at post-test follow-up indicated that family cohesion predicted improvements in child social problem-solving skills and social self-efficacy, and positive parenting predicted improvements in child social self-efficacy. A total of 12 mothers participated in the focus group study that was designed to explore barriers to positive parenting and family cohesion in this population. Results from focus groups revealed four major themes impacting parenting and family cohesion: (a) acculturation differences between parents and children and the resulting power imbalance; (b) difficulty getting involved in their child's education; (c) loss of extended family; and (d) discrimination against immigrants and legal status. The implications for family support programs for immigrant Latino families and their children are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Children of depressed parents: An integrative review.

Reviews the literature on the adjustment of children of depressed parents, difficulties in parenting and parent–child interaction in these families, and contextual factors that may play a role in child adjustment and parental depression. First, issues arising from the recurrent, episodic, heterogeneous nature of depression are discussed. Second, studies on the adjustment of children with a depressed parent are summarized. Early studies that used depressed parents as controls for schizophrenic parents found equivalent risk for child disturbance. Subsequent studies using better-defined samples of depressed parents found that these children were at risk for a full range of adjustment problems and at specific risk for clinical depression. Third, the parenting difficulties of depressed parents are described and explanatory models of child adjustment problems are outlined. Fourth, important gaps in the literature are identified, and a consistent, if unintentional, "mother-bashing" quality in the existing literature is noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)