FEASIBILITY,ACCEPTABILITY, AND INITIAL FINDINGS FROM A COMMUNITY‐BASED CULTURAL MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION FOR AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES

Through a CBPR partnership, university and American Indian (AI) tribal members developed and tested Our Life intervention to promote mental health of AI youth and their families by addressing root causes of violence, trauma, and substance abuse. Based on premises that well‐being is built on a foundation of traditional cultural beliefs and practices, and that it requires a process of healing and understanding, the 6‐month intervention had four components: 1) recognizing/healing historical trauma; 2) reconnecting to traditional culture; 3) parenting/social skill‐building; and 4) strengthening family relationships through equine‐assisted activities. Feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and preliminary outcomes were examined in a mixed‐method within‐group design. Engagement and retention were challenging, suggesting that families faced numerous barriers to participation. Youth who completed the program experienced significant increases in cultural identity, self‐esteem, positive coping strategies, quality of life, and social adjustment. Qualitative data supported these findings and suggested additional positive effects.     

Bringing Parenting Interventions Back to the Future: How Randomized Microtrials May Benefit Parenting Intervention Efficacy

A novel approach is needed to promote the efficacy of parenting interventions designed to improve children's mental health. The proposed approach bridges developmental and intervention science to test which intervention elements contribute to parenting intervention program efficacy. The approach encourages the field to move “back to the future” using stringent, focused experimental techniques to test discrete parenting techniques (e.g., praise, time‐out) on their merit. We argue that these randomized microtrials are needed to (a) distinguish between the less and more efficacious elements of parenting interventions, (b) illuminate for whom and under what conditions elements are efficacious, and (c) explore the potential for empirically supported tailoring of interventions to meet families’ specific needs.     

INVOLVING PARENTS IN A COMMUNITY‐BASED,CULTURALLY GROUNDED MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION FOR AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH: PARENT PERSPECTIVES,CHALLENGES, AND RESULTS

An important predictor of youth well‐being and resilience is the presence of nurturing adults in a youth's life. Parents are ideally situated to fulfill this role but often face challenges and stressors that impede their ability to provide adequate support and guidance. American Indian parents may also be affected by intergenerational transmission of trauma and loss of traditional parenting practices, as a result of forced boarding school and/or relocation. Members of a community‐university partnership sought to interrupt cycles of violence and poor mental health of youth through a culturally‐grounded intervention for youth and their parents that focused on healing historical trauma, strengthening positive parenting practices and social skills, reconnecting to traditional cultural knowledge, and improving parent‐child relationships/communication. This article describes parental involvement and its challenges and provides mixed‐method results for 10 parents related to enculturation, parenting practices, parent‐child communication, family cohesion, historical loss and associated symptoms, and community involvement.     

Marital Conflict,Family Processes,and Boys' Externalizing Behavior in Hispanic American and European American Families

Used self-report and observational measures to explore associations among marital conflict, triadic family processes, and child adjustment in Hispanic American, European American, and biethnic families. One hundred and thirteen families with a 7- to I I-year-old son participated. More similarities than differences were found between European American and Hispanic American families. A hierarchical parenting style was associated with externalizing behaviors for European American and biethnic families but not for Hispanic American families. Marital conflict and disengaged family alliances were associated with child externalizing behavior for all ethnic groups. Ethnicity was not found to moderate the relation between marital conflict and family functioning, and greater levels of marital conflict were associated with disengaged family interactions and also with lax or inconsistent parenting. Implications for understanding cross-ethnic issues in family systems and child adjustment are discussed.     

The Role of Mindfulness and Compassion in Enhancing Nurturing Family Environments

The application of mindfulness and compassion to evidence‐based parenting programs (EBPPs) offers a novel approach in enhancing nurturing family environments. The proposed framework offers an opportunity to re‐focus behavioral parenting interventions from primarily reducing problematic behaviors to instead increasing pro‐social caring behavior. This article aimed to extend the knowledge base on EBPPs by (a) reviewing the current role of EBPPs; (b) discussing the potential of mindfulness and compassion to enhance EBPPs; (c) reviewing current EBPPs that integrate mindfulness and compassion; and (d) providing recommendations for EBPPs in order to help enhance their impact on building nurturing family environments.     

Preventive Intervention for Urban,Low-Income Preschoolers at Familial Risk for Conduct Problems: A Randomized Pilot Study

Conducted a pilot study to test the feasibility of a prevention program for promoting parenting in families of preschoolers at high risk for behavior problems. Risk status was based on a family history of antisocial behavior and residence in a low-income, urban community. Thirty preschoolers (ages 21/2 to 5) and their parents were randomly assigned to a 1-year, home- and clinic-based intervention or to a no-intervention control condition. Despite families' multiple risk factors, high rates of attendance and satisfaction were achieved. Relative to controls, intervention parents were observed to be significantly more responsive and use more positive parenting practices. Results support the feasibility of engaging high-risk families in an intensive prevention program. The meaningful changes achieved in parenting suggest that a preventive approach is promising for families with multiple risk factors.     

Benefits of a Psychosocial Intervention on Positive Affect and Posttraumatic Growth for Chinese American Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Breast cancer survivors report persistent psychological and physical symptoms, which affect their quality of life and may challenge the recovery process. Due to social, cultural, and linguistic barriers, culturally sensitive care is largely unavailable for Chinese Americans, and their psychological needs are not often addressed. We aimed to investigate whether the Joy Luck Academy (JLA), a psychosocial intervention providing both information and peer support, was associated with positive adjustment among Chinese American breast cancer survivors. Thirty-nine Chinese American breast cancer survivors participated in a pilot psychosocial intervention. The educational materials and lectures were delivered in the participants’ native language of Chinese. All of the educators and mentors shared the same linguistic and cultural background with the participants. The program utilized a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to further enhance the cultural sensitivity of the intervention. Participants’ post-traumatic growth and positive affect were assessed before and after the intervention. The JLA showed an improvement in positive affect, and they had a greater appreciation for life. The intervention was found to be feasible, well-accepted, and beneficial for this population. Chinese American breast cancer survivors reported improved psychological health after attending the intervention. These findings encourage the development and implementation of psychosocial interventions for Chinese breast cancer survivors. Similar programs could be integrated into other ethnic or cultural communities.     

Growing up in a dangerous developmental milieu: The effects of parenting processes on adjustment in inner‐city African American adolescents

The current longitudinal study examined the protective effects of parenting processes on measures of adolescent adjustment (health‐compromising and violent behaviors) in a sample of high‐risk, inner‐city, poor African American youth ( N = 2,867). Parenting processes played an important role in this dangerous developmental milieu. For male adolescents, they accounted for 26 to 37% in health‐compromising behaviors and 16 to 24% of the total variance in violent behaviors over time. Multigroup SEM analyses by sex and age groups (early, middle, and late adolescents) indicated no differences of these effects across groups. Findings provided evidence that parenting processes are salient for a high‐risk, inner‐city minority population in understanding and predicting health‐compromising and violent behaviors. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The link between maternal sleep and permissive parenting during late adolescence

Utilizing a multi‐method design, the present study examined the association between maternal sleep, assessed via actigraphy and self‐reports, and permissive parenting (e.g. lax, inconsistent discipline) during adolescence, as well as the extent to which this association differed by mothers’ race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. The sample was comprised of 234 mothers (M age = 41.76 years, SD = 6.25; 67% European‐American, 31% African‐American, 2% other race/ethnicities) and 237 adolescents (113 boys, 124 girls; M age = 15.80 years, SD = 0.80; 66% European‐American, 34% African‐American). Mothers’ sleep duration (actual sleep minutes) and quality (sleep efficiency, latency, long wake episodes) were assessed using actigraphy. Mothers also reported on their sleep problems and adolescents reported on mothers’ permissive parenting behaviours. Results revealed that actigraphy‐based longer sleep duration and shorter sleep latency were associated with lower levels of permissive parenting. Further, mothers’ race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status moderated the association between actigraphy‐based sleep quality (i.e. sleep efficiency, long wake episodes) and permissive parenting. Specifically, a negative association between sleep efficiency and permissive parenting was evident only for African‐American mothers. In addition, a positive association between more frequent night wakings and permissive parenting was evident only for mothers from lower socioeconomic status households. The findings highlight the benefits of longer and higher‐quality sleep for reducing the risk of permissive parenting, especially among ethnic minority mothers and mothers from lower socioeconomic status households.     

Discrimination,crime, ethnic identity,and parenting as correlates of depressive symptoms among African American children: a multilevel analysis

This study investigated the correlates of childhood depressive symptoms in an African American sample. We included processes that are likely to operate for all children, regardless of race or ethnicity, as well as events and circumstances that are largely unique to children of color. These various constructs were assessed at both the individual and community level. The analyses consisted of hierarchical linear modeling with a sample of 810 African American families living in Iowa and Georgia. Three individual-level variables were associated with childhood depressive symptoms: uninvolved parenting, racial discrimination. and criminal victimization. At the community level, prevalence of both discrimination and criminal victimization were positively related and community ethnic identification was negatively related to depressive symptoms. Further, there was evidence that community ethnic identification and neighborhood poverty serve to moderate the relationship between criminal victimization and depressive symptoms. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of considering factors unique to the everyday lives of the cultural group that is the focus of study, while demonstrating the dangers of a 'one model fits all" approach to studying children of color.     

Predictors of parenting behavior trajectories among families of young adolescents with and without spina bifida

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of familial and parental variables in predicting trajectories of parenting behaviors among families of young adolescents with and without spina bifida (SB). METHOD: Sixty-eight families with a child with SB and a demographically matched comparison group (CG) of 68 families of an able-bodied child participated. Observational and questionnaire assessments of parenting behavior were collected via home visits at three time points, as were reports of parent and family functioning. RESULTS: Family conflict was negatively associated with adaptive parenting behavior at Time 1 (T1), but positively associated with adaptive parenting change. Although the direction of this effect was the same across both groups, findings were more robust for the SB sample. Among fathers of children with SB, parenting stress was positively associated with adaptive parenting at T1 but negatively associated with adaptive parenting change. In contrast, within the CG, paternal parenting stress was negatively associated with adaptive parenting at T1 but showed no enduring negative effects in longitudinal analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Family conflict and parenting stress were significant predictors of parenting behaviors and longitudinal parenting change. Findings are interpreted within a developmental context such that variables associated with maladaptive (or adaptive) parenting in the short run, may facilitate adaptive (or maladaptive) parenting over time based on young adolescents' changing developmental needs.     

Family‐based prevention counseling for high‐risk young adolescents: Immediate outcomes

Family prevention counseling, which features customized prevention planning for individual families, is a promising approach for preventive intervention with adolescents at high risk for substance abuse and conduct disorder. A randomized study (N = 124) tested the post‐intervention efficacy of an indicated, family‐based prevention model with a sample of inner‐city African‐American youths (ages 11–14). Key risk and protective factors associated with the development of drug use and antisocial behavior were targeted in four domains: self‐competence, family functioning, school involvement, and peer associations. Compared to controls, participants in family prevention counseling showed gains in global self‐worth, family cohesion, and bonding to school, and a decrease in peer antisocial behavior. The potential utility of family prevention counseling within a unified prevention framework is discussed. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Parenting Styles and Child Behavior in African American Families of Preschool Children

Examined the relations between parenting styles and child behavior problems in African American preschool children. Participants were 108 African American female caregivers of 3- to 6-year-old children. Correlational analysis showed that parent-reported child behavior problems were associated with maternal education, family income, and parents' endorsement of authoritative parenting, authoritarian parenting, and permissive parenting. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the authoritative parenting style was most predictive of fewer child behavior problems. These results are consistent with previous findings with European American families and provide strong support for the cross-cultural validity of the authoritative parenting style.     

SUPPORTING POSITIVE PARENTING IN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS: THE ACT RAISING SAFE KIDS PROGRAM

The present study involves an evaluation of the effect of the American Psychological Association's ACT Raising Safe Kids (RSK) program on parenting outcomes for families served by Community Health Centers. The ACT‐RSK program is a primary family violence and child physical abuse prevention program for parents of young children. Parents were trained in effective parenting including nonviolent discipline, child development, anger management, social problem‐solving skills, effects of violent media on children, and methods to protect children from exposure to violence. Results indicate improved nurturing and positive parenting behaviors and lower rates of psychologically and physically aggressive behavior toward children. These improvements occurred independent of children's age and prior levels of aggression. Use of this model within healthcare settings has the potential to more effectively address parents’ needs for parenting guidance while reducing the likelihood of child maltreatment.     

Supporting positive parenting practices within a community‐based music therapy group program: Pilot study findings

The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of a short‐term, community‐based music therapy group program on positive parenting practices. Parent–child dyads receiving early intervention family services (N = 199) participated in 8 weekly, 45–60 minute, music‐based group play sessions. We analyzed pre–post parent self‐reports that measured parenting competency and clinician‐observed ratings of parental responsiveness that evaluated behavioral domains of play, praise, and consistency. Significant results were found for parent‐reported efficacy (p = 0.008, d = 0.21) and satisfaction (p = 0.004, d = 0.19) but not for interest (p = 0.149, d = 0.12). Significant results were found for clinician‐rated observations of parental responsiveness, including play (p < 0.001), praise (p < 0.001), and consistency (p < 0.001). Short‐term, music‐based parenting programs may be an effective way to improve parents’ sense of competency and foster greater parental responsiveness for those receiving family services.     

EXPLORING THE ROLE OF ETHNIC IDENTITY IN FAMILY FUNCTIONING AMONG LOW‐INCOME PARENTS

The majority of research on ethnic identity (EI) has highlighted its role in mitigating risks associated with racial discrimination; however, discrimination is only one of many stressors that ethnic minority individuals face. The current study examined the relationships between EI, emotional distress, and the parent–child relationship among ethnically diverse, low‐income parents. Results indicated significant associations between EI and emotional distress, and EI and the parent–child relationship for African American parents, but not for their Latino or European American counterparts. Furthermore, when examined separately by gender, stronger EI buffered the impact of economic hardship on emotional distress for African American fathers. The current study provides preliminary evidence that EI plays an important role in the lives of ethnically diverse parents who are facing economic hardship. Methods for embracing and fostering EI may be valuable to incorporate into therapeutic services and strength‐based intervention programming, especially when serving low‐income African American individuals.     

A promising parenting intervention in foster care

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-component intervention for biological and foster parent (pairs) to improve parenting practices, co-parenting, and child externalizing problems. Participants were biological and foster parents (N=128) of primarily neglected children (ages 3 to 10 years) placed in regular foster homes. Biological and foster parents were randomly assigned in pairs to the intervention (n=80) or a usual care (n=48) condition. Intervention families received a 12-week parenting course (Incredible Years) and a newly developed co-parenting component. Key findings included significant gains in positive parenting and collaborative co-parenting for both biological and foster parents at the end of the intervention. At follow-up, intervention parents sustained greater improvement in positive parenting, showed gains in clear expectations, and reported a trend for fewer child externalizing problems. Findings supported the feasibility of offering joint parenting training to meet the needs of participating families and demonstrated that the co-parenting construct applied to families in the foster care system was amenable to intervention.     

Parenting stress in families of children with Prader–Willi syndrome

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple endocrine, metabolic, respiratory, cognitive, and behavioral/psychiatric symptoms that may lead to severe emotional strain in their caregivers. In this study, we evaluated parenting stress by the Parenting Stress Index‐short form (PSI/SF) and parent‐reported behavioral symptoms by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6–18) in families of children with PWS. Sixty‐seven home‐resident PWS patients and their families were recruited in this study. The patients' mean age was 14.9 ± 8.3 years, and 33 (50.8%) were male. High parenting stress was reported by 41.5% families, as determined by high total stress scores of PSI/SF. The patients in high stress families were significantly older than those in low stress families (18.2 ± 8.0 vs. 12.6 ± 7.8 years, p = .007). CBCL/6–18 was used to evaluate the somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms of PWS patients aged between 6 and 18 in the subgroup of the 35 families. In this subgroup, 37.1% of families reported high parenting stress. High stress families reported a higher T‐score in anxiety/depression, withdrawn behavior, somatic complaints, thought problems, attention problems, and delinquent and aggressive behavior of their children with PWS. After multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis, the T‐score of somatic complaints was the only factor related to high parenting stress, with an odds ratio of 1.279. Our data demonstrated the high care burden of families with PWS and highlighted the importance of having dedicated medical care for both somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms.     

Investigating motivation and engagement in an urban afterschool arts and leadership program

Despite the potential benefits of afterschool arts‐based programs on development, urban youth in low‐income areas are unlikely to participate in these activities. The aim of the current study was to investigate motivation and engagement in an arts and leadership afterschool program among 10 urban, predominantly African American youth. We took a mixed‐methods approach, as limited research has examined motivational processes in arts‐based programs. Youth identified program content, staff, and peers as important sources of motivation. Specifically, the program leader played multiple roles in youths’ lives, and it is critical to pay careful attention to how youth experience and learn to navigate these complex relationships. Youth especially valued opportunities to develop a sense of competence (e.g., learn teamwork skills) and engage in identity work (e.g., gain a better sense of themselves), and they envisioned their program participation having a positive influence on motivation in their everyday lives outside of program activities.