Purpose In maltreatment situation, parent-child relationship quality and parenting practices can be deteriorated (Paquette, 2008). Some argue that parent-child relationship quality is critical to improve parenting practices... [ view full abstract ]
Purpose
In maltreatment situation, parent-child relationship quality and parenting practices can be deteriorated (Paquette, 2008). Some argue that parent-child relationship quality is critical to improve parenting practices (Dishion and Mchamon, 1998; Crouter and Head, 2002). This study aims to 1) describe parenting practices and parent-child relationship among parents followed by Child Protection Services (CPS) and 2) explore the link between parenting practices and parent-child relationship.
Method
Parents (n=62) of child aged between 6 and 10 years followed by CPS for maltreatment completed Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ ; Rohner, 1991; adapted by Groupe de recherche sur les inadaptations sociales de l’enfance de l’Université de Sherbrooke; alphas 0.86-0.95) and Parenting Practice Interview- french version- (PPI ; Webster-Stratton, 1998; alphas 0.62-0.82).
Results
Descriptive statistics of the PPI showed that parents report some difficulties on the scale of harsh and inconstant discipline (M=3.10, ÉT=0,87), verbal positive discipline (M=5,40, ÉT=1,77) and supervision (M= 5,65, ÉT=0,98) regarding cut off score established for risk mothers of child aged between 4 and 6 years. Descriptive statistics of PARQ showed that parent report a high level of warm/affection and low level of coercion and indifference/neglect. Those results are surprising considering that they were followed by CPS for maltreatment. Results demonstrated a correlation between warm/affection and harsh and inconstant discipline (r=-.25; p<.05), positive verbal discipline (r=.25; p<.05) and incentives (r=.26; p<.05) and between indifference/neglect and harsh and inconstant discipline (r=,322, p<,01) and between hostility/rejection and harsh and inconstant discipline (r= ,580, p<,01). Further analyses will be conduct to examine the nature of those links.
Conclusion
From those results emerge a new question: what is the role of parent-child relationship quality in explaining the improvements of parenting practices during Parent Training Program? Those programs are often offered in CPS to improve both (Barth, Landsverk, Chamberlain, Reid, Rolls, Hurlburt, et al., 2005).
