Do Positive Parenting Practices Moderate Parental Mental Health and Child Behavior Among Homeless Families?

The social interaction learning framework was used to explore whether positive parenting practices (noncoercive discipline, clear expectations, and praise and incentives) mitigated any effects of parent mental health (psychological distress and parenting stress) on child externalizing behaviors in a predominantly African American sample of homeless parents residing in transitional housing (N = 52, 79.6% female). The results showed that the positive relationship between psychological distress and child behavior was attenuated when parents provided high levels of praise and incentives. In addition, a positive relationship between parenting stress and child behavior existed only when parents transmitted low levels of praise and incentives. No significant findings existed for noncoercive discipline and clear expectations. The results suggest the need to further understand the positive aspects of parenting in the context of homelessness that can promote child adjustment even if parental mental health is compromised.     

Child Routines and Self-Regulation Serially Mediate Parenting Practices and Externalizing Problems in Preschool Children

Background

Studies clearly indicate that parenting practices relate to child externalizing behaviors, although the mechanisms underlying this relation are less well understood. There has been limited evaluation of child routines and self-regulation in relation to these variables, and no known studies have evaluated all of these variables simultaneously.

Objective

This study examined child routines and self-regulation as serial mediators of the relations between positive and negative parenting practices (separately) and child externalizing problems among preschool children.

Methods

Participants included 146 maternal caregivers of preschool children who completed measures of their parenting practices and of their child’s daily routines, self-regulation, and externalizing behaviors.

Results

Results demonstrated that both child routines and self-regulation are significant mechanisms through which negative and positive parenting practices relate to externalizing problems in preschoolers, although the temporal sequencing was only upheld with respect to negative parenting. Our findings offer preliminary evidence that child routines may play a critical role in self-regulation development among preschool children, which, in turn, is inversely associated with externalizing behaviors.

Conclusion

Although further study is needed, these findings suggest that child routines and self-regulation development may be key components to incorporate clinically and evaluate empirically among intervention programs designed to prevent early development of behavior problems in preschool children.

     

Socio-Environmental Factors Associated With Lone Parenting Chronically Ill Children

This article reports findings from 2 studies assessing the relation between parental perception of “lone” parenting and socioeconomic factors, including low income, perception of child health, and parental emotional distress among parents of chronically ill children. In both studies, parents who considered themselves a lone parent when caring for their ill child had significantly lower incomes and greater distress (i.e., were more likely to score at or above clinical or “case” cutoffs on the Brief Symptom Inventory) than those who considered themselves to be married or partnered. Longitudinal research is needed to determine the impact of lone parenting and low income on parental and child health outcomes over time.     

Predictors of Participation in Parenting Workshops

Raising Healthy Children is a multi-year, experimental test of a school-based intervention that seeks to promote positive youth development and prevent problem behavior among children recruited into the project in the first or second grade of elementary school. The primary components of the intervention include staff development for teachers in classroom management and instruction, in-home services for high-risk children and their families, and parenting workshops for parents with students attending intervention schools. This paper examines predictors of attendance at parenting workshops. The study panel (n = 272) consists of families with a student who remained at an intervention school through the first five years of the project. Variables that were considered as predictors of parent attendance include social demographic characteristics, parent characteristics (at-risk behavior and smoking), and child characteristics (behavior problems and academic achievement). Parent education and parent's perception of their child's antisocial behavior both had positive and statistically significant bivariate associations with attendance. These two variables were also significantly positively associated with attendance in a multivariate model that included low-income and single-parent status, parent smoking and at-risk behavior, and parent rating of child's antisocial behavior and academic performance. Parents with at-risk behaviors were not significantly more or less likely to attend workshops.     

Temperament,parental personality and parenting stress in relation to socio-emotional development at 51 months

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relevance of infant temperament, parent personality and parenting stress for children’s socio-emotional development, looking in addition for any differences between mothers and fathers. Participants, from a community sample, were 410 mothers and fathers reporting their personality (NEO Personality Inventory), child temperament in the first (Infant Characteristics Questionnaire) and second (Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire) years, parenting stress to 36 months (Parenting Stress Index Short Form) and child behaviour at 51 months (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). Difficult toddler temperament was associated with more externalizing and internalizing problems. Higher paternal extraversion was associated with more prosocial behaviour whereas lower maternal extraversion was associated with more internalizing problems. For both parents, describing a dysfunctional parent–child relationship was related to more externalizing problems and to less prosocial behaviour, for fathers also to more internalizing problems, which associated for mothers with more parental distress.     

Family Distance Regulation and School Engagement in Middle‐School‐Aged Children

The purpose of this study was to explore how family distance regulation and other family demographic factors influence parenting behavior and family routines, which, in turn, influences the child's school engagement. The data from the project came from a larger study conducted in a large Northwestern urban area and included both two‐parent and single‐parent families. These two family structures were compared in order to emphasize that it is the foundational family process of family distance regulation that supports other parenting practices as well as chronic stress that leads to school engagement regardless of the number of parents in the household. Implications for practice and the results of this study in relation to previous literature are discussed.     

Parenting deficits of mothers living with HIV/AIDS who have young children

The purpose of this study was to examine a model of the relationships between parenting deficits and skills, along with child outcomes, in a sample of mothers living with HIV (MLH) and their 6- to 14-year-old children. Sixty-two MLH (61% Latina, 26% black, 3% white, and 10% multiracial) and their well children (age 6–14) were recruited from the greater Los Angeles, California, region to participate in an intervention (IMAGE: Improving Mothers’ parenting Abilities, Growth, and Effectiveness) designed to assist MLH with parenting and self-care skills. Constructs examined included parenting deficits, parenting skills, and child outcomes. Covariance structural modeling was used for the analyses. Covariance structural modeling confirmed the hypothesized set of construct associations. As predicted, fewer parenting deficits were associated with better parenting skills, which, in turn, were associated with better child outcomes. This study delineated further the parenting issues with which MLH struggle, providing information on the interventions needed for this population. MLH who have little confidence they can enact parenting skills and limited knowledge of basic parenting practices appear to be less likely to provide family routines consistently, monitor their children, or to engender family cohesion or a close parent–child relationship. Such parenting skills were found to be associated with child functioning.     

Parenting and Child Distress During Cancer Procedures: A Multidimensional Assessment

We examined the relationship between children's distress during invasive cancer procedures and patent anxiety, parent disciplinary attitudes, and parent behavior during the medical procedure. Sixty-six children with cancer and their parents were evaluated during a routine bone marrow aspiration. Significantly higher levels of distress were obtained for young (under age 8) versus older children. Patterns of relationships with parent variables also varied by age. Anxious parents of young children reported relying on less effective discipline strategies. They also were less reassuring prior to the medical procedure and were more agitated during the procedure. Young children's distress was positively associated with parental reassurance, ignoring, and agitation before the procedure and with information-giving during the procedure. Older children's distress was negatively associated with parental distraction during the procedure. Age differences in the correlations between child distress and parenting are discussed in terms of developmental differences in children's dependence on caregivers for emotional regulation and control. Implications for clinical distress reduction programs are also discussed.     

The Knowledge of Effective Parenting Scale (KEPS): A Tool for Public Health Approaches to Universal Parenting Programs

Improving the knowledge, skills, and confidence of parents is often the aim of parenting-focused public health strategies and parenting programs, yet research on parental knowledge is limited compared with research on other parenting variables. In this study, a nonclinical sample of 62 parents of children aged 2-3?years was assessed for knowledge of child development processes and milestones [using the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory (KIDI)] and knowledge of effective parenting strategies [using the Knowledge of Effective Parenting Scale (KEPS)], along with self-reported measures of parenting dysfunction and nurturance, parental confidence, parental affective state, and problematic child behavior. Additionally, in-home observations of parent-child interactions were conducted with dependent measures of aversive and non-aversive parent behavior, a composite measure of parenting competence, and aversive child behavior. Results showed that KEPS scores were significantly negatively related to self-reported parenting dysfunction, internalized problematic child behavior, and parental anxiety, and positively related to observed parenting competence. Knowledge as assessed by the KIDI was significantly positively associated only with KEPS scores. These results suggest that increasing parental knowledge of effective parenting strategies at a population level is likely to be more beneficial to parents than increasing their knowledge of child development processes and milestones.     

Tourette syndrome,parenting aggravation,and the contribution of co-occurring conditions among a nationally representative sample

BackgroundPrevious research suggests that parents of a child with Tourette Syndrome (TS) have lower self-concepts, higher caregiver burden, and more difficulties with home activities. However, the contributions of TS and mental, emotional, or behavioral (MEB) conditions to family functioning are difficult to identify from previous research due to relatively small TS sample sizes and high rates of co-occurring conditions within samples of children with TS.ObjectiveThe current study hypothesized that families of children with TS would report significantly more family functioning difficulties (more parenting aggravation, more difficulty with coping with the child's care, less parent–child communication, and less consistent family routines). Specifically, co-occurring conditions would contribute substantially to reported parenting aggravation.MethodParent-reported data from the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health were analyzed, including whether the child had been diagnosed with TS or an MEB. Weighted analyses were restricted to US children 6–17 years of age (n = 64,034) and adjusted for child age, sex, race and ethnicity.ResultsParents of children with TS were more likely to fall into the high parenting aggravation index category compared with parents of children without TS (aPR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.2–6.6). Controlling for the co-occurring MEB conditions attenuated the relations between TS and parenting aggravation; however, a significant effect for TS remained in some cases.ConclusionParents of children with TS may face significant challenges in raising their children, leading to increased parenting aggravation; these challenges appear to be primarily associated with the presence of co-occurring MEB conditions.     

Parent use of food to soothe infant/toddler distress and child weight status. An exploratory study

The aim of the present study was to explore the parent feeding practice of using food to soothe infant/toddler distress and its relationship to child weight status. Seventy eight families with infants and toddlers (43 males) ranging in age from 3 to 34 months (M = 14 mos, SD = 9 mos) completed a survey which included questions on their use of food to soothe, questionnaires on parent feeding practices, parenting self-efficacy, child temperament and child's weight and length at the time of their last well-baby visit. Results revealed the use of food to soothe to be a valid construct. In addition, mothers who used food to soothe rated themselves lower in parenting self-efficacy and their children higher in temperamental negativity. Analyses examining weight status as the outcome variable revealed that mothers who reported the use of food to soothe had heavier children, however, this relationship was stronger for children rated as high in temperamental negativity.     

A Mediation Model of Interparental Collaboration,Parenting Practices,and Child Externalizing Behavior in a Clinical Sample

The present study examined maternal and paternal parenting practices as mediators of the link between interparental collaboration and children's externalizing behavior. Parent gender was tested as a moderator of the associations. A clinical sample consisting of 136 children with externalizing problems and their families participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was used to test the study hypotheses. Maternal and paternal parenting practices fully mediated the relation between interparental collaboration and externalizing behavior. When the mediated pathways were tested separately, paternal parenting practices functioned as a mediator, whereas maternal parenting practices did not, indicating that the relationship between interparental collaboration, parenting practices and externalizing behavior was moderated by parent gender. The findings suggest that treatments aimed at reducing child externalizing behavior may be strengthened by focusing on interparental collaboration in addition to parenting practices, while also underscoring the need to involve fathers in interventions.     

Children's Distress in Anticipation of Radiation Therapy Procedures

We investigated levels of anticipatory distress in 80 pediatric patients, 2 to 7 years old, awaiting their initial radiation therapy (RT) procedure, and we examined demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables associated with their distress. Both observed behavior and heart rate outcomes were employed as measures of distress. Sixty-five percent of patients exhibited at least some degree of anticipatory behavioral distress prior to their RT simulation procedure. Thirty-four percent of patients displayed high levels of anticipatory behavioral distress; 16.3% exhibited high behavioral distress as well as high heart rates. Younger age and higher parent expectations of child distress were characteristic of children who displayed both high anticipatory behavioral distress and high heart rates. Child demographic factors, particularly younger age, were found to contribute significantly to the prediction of parent expectations of child distress. Implications for at-risk children in need of preparatory interventions for RT procedures are discussed.     

Children’s participative citizenship within the context of integral care and daily life

The concept of participation was reviewed as a component of children's citizenship in order to promote a programme for Integral Development. A narrative revision of the literature was carried out as well as a group discussion was organized along with the staff of an Integral Care Programme, in order to identify notions of democracy and child citizenship related to care and rearing. Some elements that favoured the child participation and some parenting skills were identified. Among the elements that must be encouraged in children are: the development of emotional, cognitive and communicative skills and promotion of decision-making; among the parent skills development included are: sensitivity and responsivity; establishing routines and participation experiences. It is important to stand out that the identified elements to promote child participation and parental competences should be adapted to every specific cultural context.     

The Relationship of Parental Overprotection and Perceived Child Vulnerability to Depressive Symptomotology in Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: The Moderating Influence of Parenting Stress

Our study examined the relationship between parental overprotection and perceived child vulnerability to self-reported depressive symptoms in 8- to 12-year-old children diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The moderating influence of parenting stress was also examined. Mothers (N = 43) completed measures of parental overprotection, perceived child vulnerability, and parenting stress, and the children completed a measure of child depression. Findings revealed that both child vulnerability and parenting stress were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms; no relationship was found between overprotection and child depressive symptoms. Regression results further indicated that parenting stress moderated the relationship between perceived child vulnerability and depressive symptomotology. Thus, parenting stress appears to magnify the relationship between perceived child vulnerability and child-reported depressive symptoms. Our findings lend additional empirical support for the transactional relationship between discrete parenting variables and child distress. These results also support the view that overprotection and child vulnerability are distinct but overlapping constructs. Interventions that target specific parenting approaches and general parenting stress may be effective in ameliorating child distress.     

Family Adherence as a Predictor of Child Outcome in an Intervention for Pediatric Obesity: Different Outcomes for Self-Report and Objective Measures

This study examined the relations between specific adherence variables and child outcomes among a sample of 60 families participating in a family-based pediatric obesity program. Adherence was measured using both objective and self-report methods. Family adherence to the treatment protocol significantly predicted child outcomes. However, parent self-report measures of adherence were better predictors of child outcome than objective measures. The importance of including parent self-report measures of adherence for behaviors outside of the treatment setting was demonstrated in this study. Pediatric obesity treatment should emphasize the importance of modifying parent behaviors as a means for improving child outcomes.     

Attachment,Working Models of Parenting,and Expectations for Using Television in Childrearing

This study used attachment theory to understand college students' working models of parenting and expectations for how they would use television in parenting. We found that secure parent‐child attachment histories were related to more positive expectations of parenting and that avoidant and anxious‐ambivalent parent‐child attachment histories were related to more negative expectations of parenting. Avoidant parent‐child attachment history was related to more positive views about television for children and in parenting, especially among adults with insecure adult attachments. In addition, students with more secure attachment histories had healthier views on using television with children. The implications of these results for understanding parents' use of television with their children as well the effects of television on children are discussed.     

Using household survey data to inform policy decisions regarding the delivery of evidence-based parenting interventions

BACKGROUND: This study used household survey data on the prevalence of child, parent and family variables to establish potential targets for a population-level intervention to strengthen parenting skills in the community. The goals of the intervention include decreasing child conduct problems, increasing parental self-efficacy, use of positive parenting strategies, decreasing coercive parenting and increasing help-seeking, social support and participation in positive parenting programmes. METHODS: A total of 4010 parents with a child under the age of 12 years completed a statewide telephone survey on parenting. RESULTS: One in three parents reported that their child had a behavioural or emotional problem in the previous 6 months. Furthermore, 9% of children aged 2-12 years meet criteria for oppositional defiant disorder. Parents who reported their child's behaviour to be difficult were more likely to perceive parenting as a negative experience (i.e. demanding, stressful and depressing). Parents with greatest difficulties were mothers without partners and who had low levels of confidence in their parenting roles. About 20% of parents reported being stressed and 5% reported being depressed in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. Parents with personal adjustment problems had lower levels of parenting confidence and their child was more difficult to manage. Only one in four parents had participated in a parent education programme. CONCLUSIONS: Implications for the setting of population-level goals and targets for strengthening parenting skills are discussed.     

Parenting and Turkish children’s behaviour problems: the moderating role of qualities of parent–child relationship

The current study is an examination of contributions of parenting styles and qualities of parent–child relationship (PCR) to Turkish children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviours, with a specific focus on the moderating role of PCR (closeness and conflict) on parenting styles (authoritarian and democratic/authoritative) when predicting children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviours. Participants were 94 children (56 boys) with the mean age of 7.05 years (SD?=?0.88) in a suburban district in Turkey. Mothers reported on their parenting styles and relationships with their children as well as children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviours. Results from regression analyses showed that parent–child closeness significantly moderated the association between authoritarian parenting and children’s externalizing behaviours. Parent–child conflict significantly moderated the association between authoritarian parenting and children’s internalizing behaviours. The parent–child conflict was positively associated with children’s externalizing behaviour and authoritarian parenting was positively associated with internalizing behaviour. Limitations and future directions of the current study are discussed.     

A qualitative study exploring the experiences and views of mothers, health visitors and family support centre workers on the challenges and difficulties of parenting

Successive policy documents have referred to the need to support parents as an approach to reducing social exclusion, behaviour problems among young people and crime rates. Much of the rhetoric focuses on professional intervention, and there is less attention paid to the views and experiences of parents themselves. The present study explores the experiences and views of mothers, health visitors and family support centre workers who work with parents on the challenges and difficulties of parenting children under the age of 6 years. It provides an appreciation of their views on effective parenting and how parents can be helped to feel more effective in the parenting role. Focus groups, which were exploratory and interactive in form, were conducted across three primary care trusts in Hertfordshire, UK. Three samples were purposively selected in order to examine the range and diversity of experiences and views about parenting, and included the parents of children up to the age of 6 years, health visitors and family support centre workers. The mothers were those waiting to attend a parenting programme, and included first-time mothers and those with more than one child. The health visitors and family support workers had a range of experience in working with parents and children, and included those who were facilitating parenting programmes and those who were not. A number of themes emerged surrounding the challenges and difficulties of parenting and effective parenting, including expectations of others, establishing routines, play, behavioural issues and discipline, empathy, and communication. Similar themes emerged from all groups; however, there were qualitative differences between parents and professionals in the way in which these issues were expressed. Key statements from the parent focus groups have been developed into self-efficacy statements, which will be used as input to the development of a tool to measure the effectiveness of parenting programmes.