Adolescent Reports of Aggression as Predictors of Perceived Parenting Behaviors and Expectations

This study examined the associations between adolescent self‐report of aggression and adolescents' perceptions of parenting practices in a sample of African American early adolescents living in low‐income, urban communities. Sixth graders (N = 209) completed questionnaires about their aggressive behaviors and perceptions of caregivers' parenting practices at two time points during the school year. Path model findings reveal that adolescent‐reported aggression at Time 1 predicted higher levels of perceived parent psychological control and perceived parent expectations for aggressive solutions to conflicts at Time 2. Findings suggest that early adolescent aggression elicits negative parenting behaviors at a subsequent time point.     

Parental fatigue and parenting practices during early childhood: an Australian community survey

Background Parenting behaviours are influenced by a range of factors, including parental functioning. Although common, the influence of parental fatigue on parenting practices is not known. The first aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fatigue and parenting practices. The second aim was to identify parental psychosocial factors significantly associated with fatigue. Methods A sample of 1276 Australian parents, of at least one child aged 0–5 years, completed a survey. Demographic, psychosocial (social support, coping responses) and parental sleep and self‐care information was collected. Hierarchical regression was performed to assess the contribution of fatigue (modified Fatigue Assessment Scale) to parental practices (warmth, irritability and involvement), and parenting experiences (Parenting Stress Index, Parenting Sense of Competence Scale). Hierarchical multiple regression assessed the contribution of a range of parental sleep, psychosocial (social support, coping responses) and self‐care variables to fatigue when demographic characteristics were held constant. Results Higher fatigue was significantly associated with lower parental competence (β=?0.17, P < 0.005), greater parenting stress (β= 0.21, P < 0.005) and more irritability in parent–child interactions (β= 0.11, P < 0.005). Several psychosocial characteristics were associated with higher parental fatigue, including inadequate social support, poorer diet, poorer sleep quality and ineffective coping styles including self‐blame and behaviour disengagement. Conclusions Fatigue is common, and results suggest that fatigue contributes to adverse parental practices and experiences. However, possible risk factors for higher fatigue were identified in this study, indicating opportunities for intervention, management and support for parents.     

An Interactive Web‐Based Program for Stepfamilies: Development and Evaluation of Efficacy

This study evaluated the efficacy of a family life education program for stepfamilies that is self‐administered, interactive, and web‐based. The program uses behavior‐modeling videos to demonstrate effective couple, parenting, and stepparenting practices. A diverse sample of 300 parents/stepparents of a child aged 11–15 years were randomized into either treatment or delayed‐access control groups. Findings suggest that participation in the stepfamily education program positively influenced several key areas of parenting and family functioning at postprogram and follow‐up. No gender differences were noted in the findings.     

Involvement of the Personal Social Network as a Factor in Parent Education Effectiveness

This study examined the impact of mothers' involvement with their social networks upon their self‐reported changes in behaviors and attitudes due to a parenting intervention—in this case monthly, age‐paced parenting newsletters. Path analyses revealed that discussing and sharing newsletter copies with others was associated with greater self‐reported change but did not significantly mediate the relationship between newsletter use and parental change. Rather, individual use of the newsletter and social sharing of the content had independent effects on parenting. The results support a general view that the advice of parenting programs is not accepted or rejected in a vacuum, but often within the context of discussions within the participants' existing social networks. This suggests two practical implications for program developers: (a) Interventions might be more effective if they encouraged such social network processing of program advice, and (b) programs might even target social networks rather than individual parents as their clients.     

An Integrative Review: Understanding Parental Use of Social Media to Influence Infant and Child Health

Objectives

Parents of young children have unique informational needs and it has been demonstrated that information-seeking behaviors influence health outcomes. Due to social media’s popularity, understanding parents’ use of social media may assist in disseminating accurate parenting information and in developing targeted interventions. Thus, we aimed to identify and describe the existing literature of parental use of social media for parenting in the U.S.

Methods

After searching nine databases with two separate Boolean phrases, identified articles were reviewed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, resulting in 12 articles published between January 2004 and May 2018 that related to parental use of social media for parenting or infant health in the U.S. Data from relevant articles were then extracted and analyzed.

Results

Facebook was the most frequent social media format. Parental utilization of social media varied by race/ethnicity and region. Studies primarily focused on women and a range of article topics were identified, the most common being infant feeding practices. Finally, two themes emerged: (1) parental support via social media and (2) effectiveness of using social media for health communication targeting parents.

Conclusions for Practice

Social media provided support for parents and was effective for communicating health information; thus, public health organizations should include social media in their efforts to promote infant and child health. More research is needed to further identify demographic differences in social media use among parents.

     

Perceived parenting style and practices and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages by adolescents

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether perceived parenting practices and parenting style dimensions (strictness and involvement) are associated with adolescents' consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. In this cross-sectional study, secondary school students (n = 383, mean age 13.5 years) completed a self-administered questionnaire on their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, attitude, social influences, self-efficacy, habit strength, food-related parenting practices and the general parenting style dimensions of 'strictness' and 'involvement'. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression analyses. More restrictive parenting practices were associated with lower consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (beta = -38.0 ml; 95% CI = -48.1, -28.0). This association was highly mediated ( approximately 55%) by attitude, self-efficacy and modeling from parents. Nevertheless, a significant direct effect remained (beta = -17.1 ml; 95% CI = -27.2, -6.90). Interactions between perceived parenting style and parenting practices showed that the association between parenting practices and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was stronger among adolescents who perceived their parents as being moderately strict and highly involved. Parents influence their children's sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and should therefore be involved in interventions aimed at changing dietary behaviors. Interventions aimed at the promotion of healthy parenting practices will improve when they are tailored to the general parenting style of the participants.     

Feasibility of an obesity intervention for paediatric primary care targeting parenting and children: Helping HAND

Background The primary care setting offers the opportunity to reach children and parents to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviours, and improve weight status among children. Objective Test the feasibility of Helping HAND (Healthy Activity and Nutrition Directions), an obesity intervention for 5‐ to 8‐year‐old children in primary care clinics. Methods A randomized controlled pilot study of Helping HAND, a 6‐month intervention, targeted children with body mass index 85–99%tile and their parents. Intervention group attended monthly sessions and self‐selected child behaviours and parenting practices to change. Control group received regular paediatric care and was wait‐listed for Helping HAND. Session completion, participant satisfaction, child anthropometrics, dietary intake, physical activity, TV viewing and behaviour‐specific parenting practices were measured pre and post intervention. Results Forty parent–child dyads enrolled: 82.5% were Hispanic, 80% had a girl and 65% reported income ≤$30 000/year. There was 20% attrition from Helping HAND (attended <4/6 sessions). Families self‐selected 4.35 (SD 1.75) behaviours to target during the 6‐month programme and each of the seven behaviours was selected by 45–80% of the families. There were no between group differences in the child's body mass index z‐score, dietary intake or physical activity post intervention. Intervention group viewed 14.9 (SE 2.3) h/week of TV post intervention versus control group 23.3 (SE 2.4) h/week (P < 0.05). Conclusion Helping HAND is feasible, due to low attrition, good programme attendance, and clinically relevant improvements in some child and parenting behaviours.     

The Link Between Couples’ Pregnancy Intentions And Behavior: Does It Matter Who Is Asked?

CONTEXT: Previous studies have linked pregnancy intentions with some pregnancy‐related behaviors and infant health outcomes. However, most have used only women’s reports of intentions and examined only maternal behaviors. METHODS: Baseline data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (1998–2000) are used to examine whether parents of newborns considered abortion upon learning of the pregnancy and whether this measure of pregnancy intention is associated with their behaviors during pregnancy or with infant birth weight. Associations between outcomes and each parent’s pregnancy intention are explored with multivariate probit regressions or least squares regressions for 737 married and 2,366 unmarried couples. RESULTS: If at least one parent considered abortion, unmarried mothers had a significantly reduced probability of initiating early prenatal care, and unmarried fathers had a significantly reduced probability of providing cash or in‐kind support during the pregnancy. The proportion of mothers receiving care in the first trimester was 12 percentage points lower when the mother only or both parents considered abortion than when neither parent did; depending on which parent reported on fathers’ support during pregnancy, the proportion of fathers who provided cash or in‐kind assistance was 6–10 percentage points lower when the father only considered abortion and 6–14 points lower when both parents considered abortion than when neither did. CONCLUSIONS: Future research on pregnancy intentions should incorporate both men and women. Understanding men’s pregnancy intentions and their associations with early support of mothers may inform discussions of how to encourage men’s involvement in family planning, prenatal health care and parenting.     

Exploring Parents' Self‐Blame in Relation to Adolescents' Mental Disorders

This study examined whether parents of adolescents diagnosed with mental disorders self‐blame for their child's disorders; their reasons for self‐blame; and the relationships between parental self‐blame and lower psychological well‐being, perceived stigmatization, social support, potential hereditary factors related to adolescents' mental disorders, demographics, and youths' clinical characteristics. Analysis of qualitative and quantitative interview data was used to classify 68 parents as “more” or “less” (40%) inclined to self‐blame. The most common reasons for parental self‐blame included perceived (a) bad parenting, (b) ineffective oversight of child's mental health status, (c) passing on “bad genes,” and (d) negative family environment. Greater parental self‐blame was related to parents' lower psychological well‐being and associated with potential hereditary transmission, family support, and adolescents' clinical characteristics.     

Parenting Practices, Parents' Underestimation of Daughters' Risks, and Alcohol and Sexual Behaviors of Urban Girls

PURPOSE: In urban economically distressed communities, high rates of early sexual initiation combined with alcohol use place adolescent girls at risk for myriad negative health consequences. This article reports on the extent to which parents of young teens underestimate both the risks their daughters are exposed to and the considerable influence that they have over their children's decisions and behaviors. METHODS: Surveys were conducted with more than 700 sixth-grade girls and their parents, recruited from seven New York City schools serving low-income families. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined relationships among parents' practices and perceptions of daughters' risks, girls' reports of parenting, and outcomes of girls' alcohol use, media and peer conduct, and heterosexual romantic and social behaviors that typically precede sexual intercourse. RESULTS: Although only four parents thought that their daughters had used alcohol, 22% of the daughters reported drinking in the past year. Approximately 5% of parents thought that daughters had hugged and kissed a boy for a long time or had "hung out" with older boys, whereas 38% of girls reported these behaviors. Parents' underestimation of risk was correlated with lower reports of positive parenting practices by daughters. In multivariate analyses, girls' reports of parental oversight, rules, and disapproval of risk are associated with all three behavioral outcomes. Adult reports of parenting practices are associated with girls' conduct and heterosexual behaviors, but not with their alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Creating greater awareness of the early onset of risk behaviors among urban adolescent girls is important for fostering positive parenting practices, which in turn may help parents to support their daughters' healthier choices.     

‘My special time’: Australian women's experiences of accessing a specialist perinatal and infant mental health service

Women who have few social supports, poor health and a history of stressful life events are at risk of poor mental health during the perinatal period. Infants of parents whose parenting capacity is compromised are also at risk of adverse outcomes. Specifically, poor perinatal mental health can impact maternal–infant attachment. To identify women at risk of poor perinatal mental health, psychosocial assessment and depression screening in the antenatal and early postnatal periods are recommended. This qualitative study is part of a larger mixed methods study, which explored two specialist perinatal and infant mental health (PIMH) services in New South Wales (Australia). Eleven women who had accessed and been discharged from a PIMH service participated in either face‐to‐face or telephone interviews. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. One overarching theme, ‘my special time’ and three sub‐themes, ‘there is someone out there for me’, ‘it wasn't just a job’ and ‘swimming or stranded: feelings about leaving the service’, were identified. The themes describe the women's experiences of being a client of a PIMH service. Overall, women reported a positive experience of the service, their relationship with the clinician being a key component. Findings from this study highlight the importance of the relational aspect of care and support; however, women need self‐determination in all therapeutic processes, including discharge, if recovery and self‐efficacy as a mother are to be gained. Importantly, further research is needed about how clinicians model a secure base and how mothers emulate this for their infants.     

Remembered Parental Rejection and Postpartum Declines in Marital Satisfaction: Moderated Dyadic Links

Utilizing a sample of 80 married couples, the current study employed a dyadic approach to examine links between remembered parental rejection during childhood and change in marital satisfaction across the transition to parenthood. Partner remembered parental rejection, parenting efficacy, and infant temperamental reactivity (frustration and fear reactivity) were examined as moderator variables. Spouses' own remembered parental rejection was linked with declines in marital satisfaction among spouses whose partners recalled more rejection from their parents in childhood, among spouses who felt less efficacious in the parenting role, and among spouses who reported high infant frustration. Partner remembered parental rejection was linked with declines in marital satisfaction among spouses who reported that they were less efficacious in the parenting role. Results support the perspective that family‐of‐origin experiences are best understood in conjunction with other domains of family life. Applied implications are discussed.     

Parenting Advice School-Age Kids Offer to Parents to Promote Healthier Child Weight-Related Behaviors

ObjectiveTo explore parenting advice children would provide to help parents encourage positive health-related behaviors by children.DesignFocus group discussions were conducted, and children shared the advice they would provide parents to help them encourage healthy weight-related behaviors (ie, diet, physical activity, and sleep) for children.SettingFocus groups (n = 65) were conducted in 3 states (Florida, New Jersey, and West Virginia).ParticipantsSchool-age children (n = 194) between the ages of 6 and 11 years old.Phenomenon of InterestWhat parenting practices are recommended by children, and are they in line with best-practice guidelines?AnalysisFocus group data were analyzed to identify themes and trends.ResultsChildren's recommendations were congruent with authoritative parenting styles (ie, high levels of warmth and control). Most of the advice shared by children aligned with recommended parent practices (ie, responsive feeding, facilitation, environmental restructuring, parent modeling, and encouragement). However, not all of the children's advice aligned with best practices guidelines (ie, use of food rewards and deception).Conclusions And ImplicationsFuture nutrition education programs may be strengthened by helping parents adopt best practices for promoting healthy child behaviors. Furthermore, teaching children about recommended child feeding parenting practices may help protect future generations by preparing children to care for younger siblings or raise their children using best parenting practices.     

Parenting Styles,Food Parenting Practices and Dietary Intakes of Preschoolers

Previous evidence suggests that children’s eating behaviors were largely influenced by the parent and home eating structure. This study examined the relationship between parenting styles (including authoritative, authoritarian, indulgent, and uninvolved), food parenting practices (within Structure, Coercive Control, and Autonomy Support constructs) and dietary intakes of preschoolers. Children aged 3–5 years and their parents were recruited from preschools/daycare centers and parents completed the surveys (n = 166). Dietary intakes were collected using the Harvard Service Food Frequency Questionnaire (HSFFQ), parenting style was assessed using the Parenting Dimensions Inventory-Short Version (PDI-S), and food parenting practices were measured using Comprehensive Home Environment Survey (CHES). The results showed that food parenting practices had a higher number of specific significant findings on children’s nutrient and food group intakes than parenting styles. Correlation analyses showed positive parenting practices within Structure were significantly related to healthier children’s intakes (e.g., vegetables, iron, and folate) and less unhealthy dietary intakes (e.g., sweets and total fats). Regression models show that children with authoritative parents consumed more fruits compared to children with authoritarian parents and indulgent parents. The results addressed the importance of parental influences for preschoolers’ healthy dietary intakes, which suggested that future interventions and educational programs could enhance parenting practices to impact child diet.     

An Experimental Study of an Empowerment‐Based Intervention for African American Head Start Fathers

This study examined the effects of an empowerment intervention, Men as Teachers, on African American Head Start fathers. Fathers were randomly assigned to the empowerment program or to a control group in which participants viewed a five‐part videotape series on parenting. The results revealed a significant improvement in fathers' attitudes about their ability to teach their preschool‐age children for the experimental group only. There was no significant improvement in these fathers' attitudes about racial oppression socialization practices. Resident fathers in the experimental group showed significant gains in self‐esteem and parenting satisfaction.     

Influence of Permissive Parenting on Youth Farm Risk Behaviors

Farm youth continue to experience high rates of injuries and premature deaths as a result of agricultural activities. Increased parental permissiveness is positively associated with many different types of high-risk behaviors in youth. This study explored whether permissive parenting (fathering and mothering) predicts youth unsafe behaviors on the farm. Data were analyzed for 67 youth and their parents. Families were recruited from a statewide farm publication, through youth organizations (i.e., FFA [Future Farmers of America]), local newspapers, farmer referrals, and through the Cooperative Extension Network. Hierarchical multiple regression was completed. Results revealed that fathers and mothers who practiced lax-inconsistent disciplining were more likely to have youth who indulged in unsafe farm behaviors. Key hypotheses confirmed that permissive parenting (lax-inconsistent disciplining) by parents continued to predict youth unsafe farm behaviors, even after youth age, youth gender, youth personality factor of risk-taking, and father’s unsafe behaviors (a measure associated with modeling) were all taken into account. A key implication is that parents may play an important role in influencing youth farm safety behaviors. Parents (especially fathers) need to devote time to discuss farm safety with their youth. Farm safety interventions need to involve parents as well as address and respect the culture and values of families. Interventions need to focus not only on safe farm practices, but also promote positive parenting practices, including increased parent-youth communication about safety, consistent disciplining strategies, and increased monitoring and modeling of safe farm behaviors by parents.     

Relationship between perception of self‐competence and parenting attitudes of Asian Indian preschoolers

The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship between parenting attitudes of Asian Indian mothers living in the United States and their preschool children’s perception of self‐competence. Twenty‐eight Asian Indian mothers and their preschool‐aged children living in the United States participated in the study. The parenting attitudes of the mothers were measured using the Adolescent–Adult Parenting Inventory. The participating preschoolers’ perceived self‐competence was measured using the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance. Correlation of the parenting attitudes subscales and the perception of self‐competence subscales indicated that there was significant correlation between cognitive competence and inappropriate expectations (r = 0.45, p < 0.05), corporal punishment (r = 0.46, p < 0.05), and role reversal (r = 0.59, p < 0.01). Role reversal was also significantly correlated with peer acceptance (r = 0.46, p < 0.05). The correlation between inappropriate expectations, corporal punishment, role reversal and cognitive competence among the Asian Indian children could be attributed to the values their parents place on cognitive skills.     

Australian Middle Eastern parents’ perceptions and practices of children's weight‐related behaviours: Talking with Parents’ Study

The home environment is associated with obesity‐related behaviours among children, and research in Australia has shown that some of these behaviours are more prevalent among children from particular cultural backgrounds including Middle Eastern. This study presents findings from face‐to‐face, semi‐structured interviews conducted in April 2013 with a convenience sample of Middle Eastern parents of primary school‐age children at an Islamic private school in Sydney, Australia. The interviews explored parental perceptions and practices regarding state government health messages addressing children's eating, physical activity and screen time. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether the content of these generic public health messages is relevant and acceptable to Middle Eastern parents of young children, and to identify any enablers and barriers to adopting these healthy practices at home. Thematic analysis identified predominant themes. In total, 21 interviews were conducted (reference children: 12 boys/9 girls, aged 5–12 years). The content of current health messages regarding children's weight‐related behaviours was familiar to respondents, and accepted as relevant for guiding their parenting practices. Parents perceived that they typically encouraged healthy behaviours, although they also reported making regular exemptions, in response to various circumstances. Overall, the perceptions and reported practices of the parents were consistent with other studies with Australian parents. There were no apparent culturally specific barriers or enablers to children's weight‐related behaviours. There is however scope for health promoters to provide more precise information on health recommendations, health risks and benefits, and to provide more specific ideas for ways in which parents can act on these health messages within the home and family environment, to encourage and support healthy behaviours in their children.