Disciplinary style and child abuse potential: association with indicators of positive functioning in children with behavior problems.

Full Abstract

Reduction of ineffective parenting is promoted in parent training components of mental health treatment for children with externalizing behavior disorders, but minimal research has considered whether disciplinary style and lower abuse risk could also be associated with positive functioning in such children. The present study examined whether lower dysfunctional disciplinary style and child abuse risk was associated with children's positive self-concept, adaptive attributional style, and hopefulness. Recruited from children undergoing treatment for disruptive behavior disorders, 69 mother-child dyads participated, with maternal caregivers reporting on their disciplinary style and abuse potential and children reporting independently on their positive functioning (adaptive attributional style, overall self-concept, and hopelessness). Findings supported the hypothesized association, with lower scores on mothers' dysfunctional discipline style and abuse potential significantly predicting children's reported positive functioning. Future research directions pertaining to more adaptive functioning in children with behavior problems are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Rodriguez, Christina M (CM); Eden, Ann M (AM);

Affiliation: Educational Psychology, University of Utah, 1705 E Campus Center Dr. Rm 327, Counseling & Counseling Psychology, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9255, USA. rodriguez(-atsign-)ed.utah.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Child psychiatry and human development (Child Psychiatry Hum Dev), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 39 (issue 2) : pp 123-36

Dates: Created 2008/03/06; Completed 2008/08/13;

PMID: 17701341, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - psychology
Child
Child Abuse - psychology
Female

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