Effects of a twelve week home based Adlerian parent education program in families with seriously emotionally disturbed children between the ages of six and fourteen.

摘要

This study was designed to determine whether a positive relationship between Adlerian parenting education delivered through home visits and parental attitudes and beliefs about child rearing and parenting exists. Research has historically demonstrated that home visiting is an effective means of providing services to low income families (Gomby et al., 1999; Olds & Kitzman, 1993; St. Pierre, Layzer, & Barnes, 1995; Weiss, 1993). Research has also indicated that Adlerian parent education courses have a positive impact on parenting skills and attitudes towards child rearing (Gfroerer et al., 2004; Huhn & Zimpher, 1989; Mullis, 1999). Given these two findings, it was hypothesized that parental attitudes and beliefs about child rearing and actual interaction would positively change following 12 weeks of home visiting based on the Positive Discipline Adlerian parenting curriculum. The Adult Adolescent Parenting Inventory, Second Edition (AAPI-2) was used to assess differences in parental attitudes and beliefs. The AAPI-2 is a self report instrument containing 32 items designed to measure attitudes towards child rearing and beliefs about parenting. Results provide scores on five constructs: inappropriate expectations of children, parental lack of empathy towards children's needs, strong beliefs in the use of corporal punishment, reversal of parent-child role responsibilities, and oppressing children's power and independence. The results of the study indicated a statistically significant difference in parent's attitudes and beliefs in the construct measuring Family Roles. There were no statistically significant differences in the remaining four constructs. The implications of this study suggest that further research is necessary before a final determination can be made as to whether the use of a home visiting curriculum is beneficial when working with this population.