Behavioural problems of children among working and non-working Mothers

For years mothers had been doing a full time job of upbringing their children and addressing their basic needs. However, the present scenario is such that it is not feasible to make a living with just one person’s earnings. Hence, women set out to support their family and the children are taken care of by the secondary caregivers. A number of research studies have revealed that the majority of children suffer from mild to moderate behavioural problems during the early developmental stages. Keeping these changing patterns in mind, the researcher conducted a comparative study at Race Course, Dehradun to assess the behavioural problems of children among working and non-working mothers. The main objectives of the study were to assess the Behavioural problems of children among working and non-working mothers and compare the Behavioural problems of children between working and non-working mothers. Data was collected from 60 working and 60 non-working mothers with the help of non-probability purposive sampling techniques. A structured Child Behaviour Assessment Scale was developed to collect the data from the mothers of children aged 4-12 years. Reliability of the tool was found to be 0.7. The study results revealed that 60% of working mothers reported Borderline Behaviour in their children. Abnormal behaviour consisting of hyperactivity, bad habits and social problems etc. were reported by 15% of working mothers. Children among non-working mothers reported higher levels of anxiety, and conduct problems. Significant association was found between Behavioural problems of children among working mothers and type of family, number of children, age of the child, and gender of the child. Behavioural problems in childhood may lead to limited functional capabilities in children and more serious problems in adulthood. Nurses can play a major role in diminishing Behavioral problems by providing guidance and counselling for the children and their mothers. The focus should be on addressing the emotional needs of the children during the early stages of development.

Interpersonal Engagement Mediates the Relation between Maternal Affect and Externalising Behaviour in Young Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Mother-child interactions around a shared activity have been shown to play a key role in the development of young children’s capacity to interact cooperatively with others. This evidence is particularly germane to type 1 diabetes (T1D) management in younger children where cooperation with parental treatment efforts is crucial for treatment success and where maternal distress and child behavioural problems are risk factors for treatment management, biomedical and psychological outcomes. In 49 4-to-8 year old children with T1D, we investigated whether the association between maternal affect and child problematic behaviour is mediated by mother-child interactions in the context of a T1D-relevant collaborative problem-solving activity. Mothers completed standardised measures of maternal and child psychological adjustment and interacted with their children in the problem-solving activity, analysed for quality of interpersonal engagement based on evaluations of maternal (sensitivity and cognitive stimulation) and dyadic (joint attention and warmth) behaviours. Mediation analyses confirmed the hypothesis that interpersonal engagement mediates the relation between maternal affective state and child behavioural problems. Specifically, more negative maternal affect is associated with lower levels of interpersonal engagement; these less engaged interactions in turn are associated with more behavioural problems in children. These findings are consistent with research involving typically developing children. The implications of our findings are twofold. First, in the context of psychological adjustment to T1D, maternal affect and mother-child interactions are 2 potential targets for interventions which promote cooperative interactions. Second, understanding and caring for children at biological risk requires attention to developmental psychology theory and method; in particular, research addressing parent-child cooperation carries both conceptual and clinical relevance.

Interpersonal Engagement Mediates the Relation between Maternal Affect and Externalising Behaviour in Young Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Mother-child interactions around a shared activity have been shown to play a key role in the development of young children’s capacity to interact cooperatively with others. This evidence is particularly germane to type 1 diabetes (T1D) management in younger children where cooperation with parental treatment efforts is crucial for treatment success and where maternal distress and child behavioural problems are risk factors for treatment management, biomedical and psychological outcomes. In 49 4-to-8 year old children with T1D, we investigated whether the association between maternal affect and child problematic behaviour is mediated by mother-child interactions in the context of a T1D-relevant collaborative problem-solving activity. Mothers completed standardised measures of maternal and child psychological adjustment and interacted with their children in the problem-solving activity, analysed for quality of interpersonal engagement based on evaluations of maternal (sensitivity and cognitive stimulation) and dyadic (joint attention and warmth) behaviours. Mediation analyses confirmed the hypothesis that interpersonal engagement mediates the relation between maternal affective state and child behavioural problems. Specifically, more negative maternal affect is associated with lower levels of interpersonal engagement; these less engaged interactions in turn are associated with more behavioural problems in children. These findings are consistent with research involving typically developing children. The implications of our findings are twofold. First, in the context of psychological adjustment to T1D, maternal affect and mother-child interactions are 2 potential targets for interventions which promote cooperative interactions. Second, understanding and caring for children at biological risk requires attention to developmental psychology theory and method; in particular, research addressing parent-child cooperation carries both conceptual and clinical relevance.

Maternal anxiety and depression and their associations with mother–child pretend play: a longitudinal observational study

Background Parental anxiety and depression have been associated with changes to parent–child interactions. Although play constitutes an important part of parent–child interactions and affords critical developmental opportunities, little is known regarding how parental anxiety and depression are related to parent–child play. This is an important knowledge gap because parents play a crucial role in children’s early play experience. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether levels of maternal anxiety and depression respectively predicted frequencies of pretend play in both mothers and their children, and whether mothers’ engagement in pretend play predicted child behaviour problems two years later. Methods Pretend play in 60 mother-toddler dyads (Mage of child = 29.67 months, SD = 3.25, 41.7% girls) was assessed during home visits. Maternal anxiety and depression were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Children’s behaviour problems were rated by mothers at baseline and two years later. Hierarchical regression analyses examined concurrent associations between mother–child pretend play and maternal anxiety and depression at baseline, and longitudinal associations between baseline mother pretend play and child behavioural problems two years later. Results Higher maternal anxiety predicted less pretend play in mothers and children (β = − .23, BCa 95% CI: [− .018, − .001]) and β = − .22, BCa 95% CI [− .014, − .001]). Higher maternal depression predicted less child pretend play (β = − .20, BCa 95% CI [− .012, − .001]). There was evidence (albeit weak) that more mother pretend play at baseline predicted fewer child behaviour problems two years later (β = − .18, BCa 95% CI [− 62.38, 11.69]), when baseline child behaviour problems and maternal anxiety were controlled for. Conclusions Maternal anxiety and depression are associated with less pretend play during mother–child interaction. Mother’s pretend play might help reduce child behavioural problems risks, suggesting that play might be one mechanism by which maternal mental health influences children’s development.

Satisfaction with informal supports predicts resilience in families of children with autism spectrum disorder

The current study examined the role of informal supports in predicting resilience among families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants included 153 caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder, who were between the ages of 2 and 18 years ( M = 10.45; SD = 4.32). Caregivers completed a measure of satisfaction with informal supports as well as the Family Resilience Assessment Scale-autism spectrum disorder. After controlling for demographic factors and child behavioural problems, regression analyses revealed that satisfaction with informal supports significantly predicted family resilience. The findings highlight the importance of specifically strengthening informal support networks when providing services and interventions to families of children with autism spectrum disorder to foster the family’s resilience. Lay abstract The study of resilience among individuals with disabilities and their families represents a paradigmatic shift from a deficits orientation towards a more holistic and contextualized approach focused on strength and adaptation. The current study investigated whether informal supports could help improve families’ capacity for resilience. We recruited 153 caregivers of children aged between 2 and 18 years who all had a diagnosis of autism. Participants were asked to complete surveys assessing resilience in their families as well as their satisfaction with informal supports (e.g. friends and family). Families more likely to report higher satisfaction with their informal support networks demonstrate greater resilience. The results suggest that informal social supports are a valuable resource for families in strengthening their capacity for resilience. The findings may help inform the development of interventions and services that work collaboratively and innovatively with families and their social networks to provide assistance and support in meaningful and effective ways.

Using a simple direct-to-consumer marketing strategy to increase participation in parenting programs

Low participation in evidence-based parenting programs not only presents a major challenge for population trials where a minimum level of intervention exposure is necessary to detect population-level impact, but also undermines the incorporation of these programs into routine practice settings. As part of a large population trial, we aimed to increase participation in a series of parenting seminars by using a simple direct-to-consumer marketing strategy, i.e., redesigning the program flyer. We captured parents' attention by affirming that “parenting is not always easy”, highlighted the potential benefits of participation, clarified what participation entailed, and addressed some of the common barriers such as the stigma associated with participation in parenting programs. Because fathers and mothers were shown to have different needs, we tailored the flyers to mothers and fathers separately. Testing the flyers on a small sample of parents showed that both mothers and fathers perceived the flyers as relevant. As expected, mothers were more likely to express interest in the program when they saw the flyer which focused on benefits related to dealing with child behavioural problems and featured a mother-child dyad, while fathers preferred the flyer which highlighted the benefits related to dealing with emotional problems, and featured a father-child dyad. Next, following the same procedure that was used to deliver the original flyers over the first 18 months of the project, we used the new flyers to inform parents about the upcoming seminars over the next 24 months. The preliminary results showed that although the average number of parents participating in each seminar had initially decreased from about seven to four, after the introduction of the new flyers, the number increased consistently and reached an average of nine parents during the last 6-month period. The results shows that program uptake can be increased using simple direct-to-consumer marketing strategies.

Child and adolescent psychiatry and psychology

This chapter reviews landmark studies in the history of child psychotherapy. Studies were chosen based on innovation, impact, and methodological rigour. They include Mary Cover Jones’ first use of observational methods to overcome fear in young children; Ivan Lovaas’ work with autism in children; the Oregon Social Learning Center’s conceptualization of child behavioural problems as sequelae of family interactions and subsequent development of effective parenting interventions; the inclusion of the family system in the treatment of eating disorders; the application of attachment theory to psychotherapy; and finally, the work of David Olds et al. and the Family Nurse Partnership model as an influential attempt to get out of the clinic and into the natural environment of vulnerable children. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future themes and directions; hopefully, the chapter’s take on this rather diverse history helps keep such diversity and innovation alive.